September is Suicide Awareness Month

Suicide is the leading cause of violent death in the United States and accounts for approximately 34,000 deaths per year according to the Centers for Disease Control.  It’s important to know the risks, understand the warning signs, and take action if someone you know is considering suicide. 

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention lists the most frequently cited risk factors for suicide are:

• Some mental disorders
• Previous suicide attempt
• Family history of attempted or completed suicide
• Serious medical condition and/or pain

Warning Signs for Suicide

In many circumstances, people who commit suicide exhibit warning signs:

• Talking about wanting to kill themselves, or saying they wish they were dead
• Looking for a way to kill themselves, such as hoarding medicine or buying a gun
• Talking about a specific suicide plan
• Feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
• Feeling trapped, desperate, or needing to escape from an intolerable situation
• Having the feeling of being a burden to others
• Feeling humiliated
• Having intense anxiety and/or panic attacks
• Losing interest in things, or losing the ability to experience pleasure
• Insomnia
• Becoming socially isolated and withdrawn from friends, family, and others
• Acting irritable or agitated
• Showing rage, or talking about seeking revenge for being victimized or rejected, whether or not the situations the person describes seem real

What To Do When You Suspect Someone May Be at Risk for Suicide

• If the person is threatening, talking about, or making specific plans for suicide, this is a crisis requiring immediate attention. Do not leave the person alone.
• Remove any firearms, drugs, or sharp objects that could be used for suicide from the area.
• Take the person to a walk-in clinic at a psychiatric hospital or a hospital emergency room.
• If these options are not available, call 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for assistance.