According to a report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide was the tenth leading cause of death overall in this country, claiming more than 47,000 people’s lives in 2019. In fact, there was nearly double the rate of suicides that year as homicides (19,141).
Suicide prevention is an incredibly important agenda, and the reason Lifeline and other mental health organizations have come together to raise awareness of the issue during September, which has officially become National Suicide Prevention Month.
Suicide is still a stigmatized and taboo topic, and this month is about not only raising awareness but spreading hope and critical information to people who have been affected by suicide. With the goal of making sure everyone who needs access to vital resources has access, it’s important those touched by suicide get involved this month.
How to Get Involved
There are a few different ways to add your voice and experience to the narrative this September:
Spread the Word
Lifeline’s website provides banners, flyers, and logos that you may download, print, and post around your local community, helping to spread awareness. There are also brochures and pamphlets you can order to hand out on college campuses, local businesses, and health clinics.
Volunteer
Contact your local Lifeline crisis center about volunteering opportunities.
Share Your Story
If you have battled your own mental health issues and found recovery and hope for a brighter future, it’s a wonderful idea to share this hope with others.
Conversely, if your life has been touched by suicide in some way and you feel strong enough to share your personal experience, it’s also so very beneficial to share your story with others. Your personal account may help others spot the warning signs in their own loved ones.
Get Help
If you or someone you know is still grieving the loss of a loved one from suicide, it’s important to get the help you need. All loss is difficult to navigate, but in my practice, I have found loss from suicide can feel like an overwhelming weight to carry.
If you’d like to explore treatment options, please reach out to me.
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