On average, there are 132 suicides per day (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention AFSP, 2023). Firearms continue to be the most common method of death by suicide which accounted for more than half of all suicide deaths in 2021 (AFSP, 2023). The number of US suicide related deaths has increased approximately 5% since 2020 (CDC, 2023). Teens are also at risk for death by suicide due to underdeveloped frontal lobes, impulsivity, and lack of support from family or peers. The Youth Risk Behaviors Survey completed in 2021 found that 10% of youth in grades 9-12 reported they had made at least one suicide attempt in the past 12 months (AFSP, 2023). Feelings of hopelessness, abrupt or continuous life stressors, social isolation, victimization, lack of access to healthcare, and easy access to lethal means contribute to the national mental health crisis we are experiencing. In contrast, reasons for living, effective problem solving skills, supportive community experiences, along with cultural, religious or moral subjections to suicide remain protective factors that decrease the risk of suicide attempts for individuals (CDC, 2022).
 

So how can we work together in the fight for suicide prevention?
Here are 5 action steps to help protect people from the risk of suicide during a crisis according to the National Alliance for Suicide Prevention.
 

1. Ask: Asking and talking about suicide may in fact reduce rather than increase suicidal ideation.
    
2. Help keep them safe: Reducing a suicidal person's access to lethal means is an important part of suicide prevention.
    
3. Be there: Increasing someone's connectedness to others and limiting their isolation has shown to be a protective factor against suicide.
    
4. Help them connect: Individuals that called the 988 Lifeline were significantly more likely to feel less depressed, less suicidal, less overwhelmed, and more hopeful by the end of calls.
    
5. Follow up: After you've connected a person experiencing thoughts of suicide with the immediate support systems that they need, following-up with them to see how they're doing can help increase their feelings of connectedness and support. There's evidence that even a simple form of reaching out can potentially reduce that person's risk for suicide.
    

Offering hope, support, and seeking wisdom from a licensed therapist can make all the difference in someone's world. Take time to educate yourself on suicide warning signs, lethal means restriction, and familiarize yourself with local and national resources to help safeguard those who are in need.
 
Resources:
https://988lifeline.org/ or text TALK to 741-741
https://www.thetrevorproject.org/
https://mchb.hrsa.gov/national-maternal-mental-health-hotline
https://CDC.gov
https://afsp.org