Suicide Prevention and Awareness: You Are Not Alone Program Recap

Published on October 1, 2024

*This post discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988* 

Many thanks to Victoria Pena-Cardinali for an informative and interesting talk on the difficult and important subject of Suicide Prevention and Awareness. According to the International Association for Suicide Prevention, in 2019, 1.3% of deaths worldwide (about 1 in every 100) were the result of suicide. Learning to recognize the warning signs of suicide, supporting family and friends who show signs, and reducing stigma by speaking about suicide are important skills you can learn to prevent suicide in your community.

What is Suicide?

Firstly, what is suicide? Suicide is death caused by self-directed injurious behavior with an intent to die as a result of the behavior.

Five Common Myths about Suicide

Myth 1: Suicide only effects those with metal health conditions.

Fact: Life stressors, like relationship problems, criminal/legal matters, eviction/loss of home, death of a loved one, devastating or debilitating illness, sexual abuse, recent or impending crises are more often the culprit when it comes to suicidal thoughts and attempts.

Myth 2: Once a person is suicidal, they will always be suicidal.

Fact: Active suicidal ideation is more commonly short-term and situation-specific. About 54% of individuals who die by suicide do not have diagnosable mental disorders.

Myth 3: Most suicides happen suddenly and without warning.

Fact: Individuals who are suicidal may only show warning signs to those closest to them. Loved ones may not recognize these signs, making it seem like a suicide was sudden or without warning.

Myth 4: People who die by suicide are selfish and take the easy way out.

Fact: Typically, people do not die by suicide because they do not want to live—people die by suicide because they want to end their suffering. These individuals are suffering so deeply that they feel helpless, and hopeless. Individuals who experience suicidal ideations do not do so by choice.

Myth 5: Talking about suicide will lead to and encourage suicide.

Fact: As a result of the widespread stigma associated with suicide, many people are afraid to speak about it. Talking about suicide not only reduces the stigma, but also allows individuals to seek help, rethink their opinions, and share their story with others.

General Facts about Suicide

• Suicide is the 11^th leading cause of death in the US.
• More than 49,476 lives are lost to suicide annually in the US and nearly one million lives globally.
• Over one third of people who have died by suicide were 55 or older.
• It’s the 3rd leading cause of death among youth and young adults ages 15 to 24 years old in the US.
• Firearms are the most common tool for death by suicide in the US, accounting for over half of suicide cases.

At-Risk Groups

High rates of suicidal ideation have been recorded among LGBTQIA+ youth. According to the CDC 2020 National Youth Risk Behavior surve]y, 46% have seriously considered suicide, 40.2% were planning suicide, and 23.4% had attempted suicide in the last year.

Men die by suicide at higher rates than women, at 2 to 1. Men aged 65 and older have the highest rates in the US, while middle-aged male veterans have the highest rates as a specific population.

For post-partum parents, suicide is the leading cause of death in the first year following a birth. Globally, 20% of post-partum deaths are the result of suicide. Post-partum adults with psychiatric disorders, a history of self-harm, or a family history of suicide are at higher risk.

Ecological Framework

Both risk factors and protective factors can be assessed in a social-ecological framework: at individual, relationship, community and societal levels. This framework can be used to clarify the level of action and development of interventions for those at risk.

IS PATH WARM

IS PATH WARM is a mnemonic for remembering the warning signs of suicide.

• Ideation – Threats or talk of wishing to hurt or kill oneself
• Substance abuse – An increase alcohol or drug use
• Purposelessness – Expressing no reason for living
• Anxiety – Agitation, restlessness, inability to sleep
• Trapped – Feeling that there is no way out
• Hopelessness – Self lack value, others do not care, future is unchanging
• Withdrawal – From friends/family members, sleeping all the time
• Anger – Uncontrolled and excessive expressions of anger
• Recklessness – Acting recklessly, high-risk behaviors
• Mood Changes – Dramatic shifts from typical mood state

A Comprehensive Approach

Identify and assist by recognizing the warning signs and connecting to appropriate sources of care. Treatment should focus on suicide risk and underlying mental/substance abuse disorders. Be sure to involve friends, family, and other loved ones in plans for care, including follow-up or transitional care.

Learning life skills like critical thinking, stress management, conflict resolution, and coping skills can improve resilience. Those with mental health problems can get better and may one day recover completely. Build positive attachments between families and community organizations to encourage connectiveness

Reduce access to means by limiting access to medication and by storing firearms safely when not in use. Walk-in clinics, hospital ERs, peer-based crisis services, and mobile crisis teams are equipped to help with crises related to suicide.

What do I do if someone is at risk?

• Have an honest conversation
• Talk to them in private
• Listen to their story
• Tell them you care about them
• Ask directly if they are thinking about suicide
• Encourage seeking treatment or contacting their doctor or therapist
• Avoid debating the value of life, minimizing their problems, or giving advice
• Take the person seriously
• Stay with them and call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

More Information

If you have any questions or would like more information about suicide and ways you can help, please contact Victoria Pena-Cardinali at VPena-Cardinali@capitalhealth.org or 609-689-5725.  If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988.  You can view a recording of this program on our YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/B7sdAdWsAlg. You can also download copies of the handouts below:

• Suicide Prevention and Awareness Presentation Slides
• Speaking Out About Suicide Flyer
• 2024 Suicide National Fact Sheet
• Talk Saves Lives Brochure