Raising Awareness About National Suicide Prevention Month

Posted in Community Outreach, Health & Wellness on September 10, 2024

In September, we acknowledge National Suicide Prevention Month, an important campaign focused on decreasing suicide rates and assisting those dealing with mental health challenges. For more than ten years, mental health advocates have tirelessly worked to raise awareness and offer life-saving resources.

Elk + Elk partner Marilena DiSilvio

Elk + Elk partner Marilena DiSilvio serves as a Trustee of LifeAct, an organization dedicated to preventing suicide. She also participates in the inaugural “Move for Mental Health” event at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo with her team called Diana’s Soul Mates in tribute to her sister.

“Fourteen years ago, my amazing sister, Diana, died by suicide and everything changed. My sons lost the fun aunt who made them belly laugh. My parents lost their youngest, most compassionate daughter. And I lost my ABBBA-loving, dancing queen and best friend. We honor Diana’s creative, nature-loving, generous, and witty spirit each day. We share our story with the hope we can raise awareness and prevent others from losing their lives. If you, or anyone you know, has ever thought about suicide, reach out to family and friends and have a conversation. Your life is worth the world to them. If you don’t have anyone you feel comfortable sharing with, call or text 988 the Suicide and Crisis Hotline. Your life is worth living for you.” – Elk + Elk partner Marilena DiSilvio

Through events, activities, and educational initiatives, Suicide Prevention Month encourages all of us to learn more, seek help, provide support, and engage in meaningful conversations about mental health.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, please reach out. Call 988 to connect with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You can also text HOME to 741-741 to talk to a trained crisis counselor, 24/7, for free.

Educate Yourself

Understanding the warning signs of suicide is crucial. It’s a complex issue but knowing what to look for can make a big difference. Some warning signs include:

• Talking about wanting to die or hurt oneself
• Feeling hopeless, empty, or trapped
• Withdrawing from loved ones
• Giving away possessions or making final arrangements
• Engaging in risky behavior or extreme mood swings

For more detailed information, check out the National Institute of Mental Health’s Suicide Prevention Guide.

Know the Statistics

Although difficult to read, the statistics around suicide are important to understand:

• Over 49,000 people died by suicide in 2022, which is equivalent to 1 death every 11 minutes.
• Suicide rates increased by 37% between 2000 and 2018, then decreased by 5% between 2018 and 2020. However, rates returned to their peak in 2022.
• In 2022, 2 million people seriously thought about suicide, 3.8 million made a plan, and 1.6 million attempted suicide.
• The suicide rate among males in 2022 was approximately four times higher than among females. Though males make up 50% of the population, they account for nearly 80% of suicides.
• Individuals aged 85 and older had the highest suicide rates in 2022.
• Firearms were used in over 50% of suicides in 2022, making them the most common method.

Ask the Difficult Questions

Remember, asking someone if they’re thinking about suicide won’t make things worse. In fact, it could help them. When talking to someone about this, be kind and understanding, and be a good listener. If someone tells you they’re thinking about suicide, know that sharing this with you is a brave and positive thing. You can be there for them, help them find support, and encourage them to get professional help.

Share The Message

Raising awareness about mental health is something we can all do together. Talk openly about how you’re feeling and let others know that there’s help out there if they need it.

During National Suicide Prevention Month, these small actions can make a big difference in saving lives and creating a community that supports and understands each other.