September
Suicide Prevention Month
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Suicide Prevention Month
Introduction
September is National Suicide Prevention Month. All month, mental health advocates, prevention organizations, survivors, allies, and community members unite to promote suicide prevention awareness.
See below for some facts and statistics, followed by some signs to look for and prevention tactics.
Facts and Statistics
In line with the Secure Storage Notification Resolution that was passed in November 2022, below are national statistics related to youth firearm suicides.
More than 700 children living in American die by gun suicide every year, and secure storage can play a crucial role in preventing those deaths.
- Over the past decade, the firearm suicide rate among children and teens has increased by 44%. (1)
- Over 80% of children under the age of 18 who died by gun suicide used a gun belonging to a parent or relative. (2)
- For people of all ages, access to a gun increases the risk of death by suicide by 3 times. (3)
Suicide Prevention
Signs to look out for when concerned that a loved one may be suicidal:
- Prolonged sadness and depression
- Changes in mood or behavior
- Hopelessness
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Withdrawing/Isolation
- Aggression or agitation
- Increased alcohol or drug use
- Talking about killing themselves
The Lifeline network and its partners are working to change the conversation from suicide to suicide prevention, to actions that can promote healing, help and give hope.
- ASK: Research shows people who are having thoughts of suicide feel relief when someone asks after them in a caring way.
- BE THERE: Individuals are more likely to feel less depressed, less suicidal, less overwhelmed, and more hopeful by after speaking to someone who listens without judgment.
- KEEP THEM SAFE: A number of studies have indicated that when lethal means are made less available or less deadly, suicide rates by that method decline, and frequently suicide rates overall decline.
- HELP THEM STAY CONNECTED: Studies indicate that helping someone at risk create a network of resources and individuals for support and safety can help them take positive action and reduce feelings of hopelessness.
- FOLLOW UP: Studies have also shown that brief, low cost intervention and supportive, ongoing contact may be an important part of suicide prevention, especially for individuals after they have been discharged from hospitals or care services.
Here are some steps we can all take to help prevent suicide.
Resources
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline can be reached by calling or texting 988 or chatting on http://988lifeline.org.
Trevor Project, the LGBTQ youth suicide prevention line
Call Trevor Lifeline at 1-866-488-7386.
Text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the UnitedStates, anytime, about any type of crisis.
Massachusetts Department of Public Health Suicide Prevention Program
Massachusetts Department of Public Health Suicide Prevention Training Calendar
Previous Communication on Gun Safety
Be SMART Campaign
The Be SMART campaign raises awareness that secure gun storage—storing guns locked, unloaded and separate from ammunition—can save lives. Be SMART emphasizes that it’s an adult responsibility to keep kids from accessing guns, and that every adult can play a role in keeping kids and communities safer.
Caregivers are encouraged to take these 5 simple steps to help prevent shootings by children:
- Secure all guns in your home and vehicles;
- Model responsible behavior around guns;
- Ask about the presence of unsecured guns in other homes;
- Recognize the role of guns in suicide;
- Tell your peers to be SMART.
Sources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. WONDER Online Database, Underlying Cause of Death
- Renee M. Johnson et al., “Who Are the Owners of Firearms Used in Adolescent Suicides?” Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior 40, no. 6 (2010): 609–11
- Andrew Anglemyer, Tara Horvath, and George Rutherford, “The Accessibility of Firearms and Risk for Suicide and Homicide Victimization Among Household Members: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis,” Annals of Internal Medicine 160, no. 2 (2014): 101–10
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