Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month

September is National Suicide Prevention month, and unfortunately, we are still a long-ways away from making a dent in suicide rates in this Country. 

In fact, studies have found that rates have actually been steadily increasing by about 2% each year in the United States.

In 2021, suicide was the 11th leading cause of death overall in the United States, claiming the lives of over 48,100 people. 

There is always new and emerging research on what causes suicide ideation, how it can be recognized, and how it can be treated–and we don’t yet have all of the answers, but here are some patterns we do see.

Who Tends to Experience Suicide Ideation?

Suicide is a leading cause of death, and it can affect people of all demographics and backgrounds. There is no “typical suicidal person,” and it is relatively common for a person to experience some form of ideation at some point in their life.

That being said, rates do vary by race, ethnicity, age, location, financial standing, sexuality, physical health and pain, and mental health diagnosis. The groups with the highest rates are non-Hispanic White people, Veterans, people who live in rural areas, workers in industries like construction and mining, young people who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual, people with chronic pain, and people who hold psychiatric diagnoses like Schizophrenia or Bipolar.

Research has also reinforced a link between Complex Trauma and suicide ideation as well as Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) and suicide ideation.

Suicide has been connected to other forms of injury and violence; people who have experienced childhood abuse, bullying, or sexual violence have an increased suicide risk.

What Makes a Difference?

Many causes of suicide ideation and behavior stem from systemic inequalities, which are also associated with violence, trauma, and various psychiatric and medical illnesses.

Resources like affordable housing, financial security, community-based policies and practices, health insurance coverage, increased provider availability, rapid and remote access to care, and even parenting and family planning can reduce the risks of suicide.

The Great Recession is very much correlated with an increase in middle-aged suicides that accelerated after 2005, and this is correlated with declining mental health and well-being in young people at same time. 

According to the CDC, being connected to family and community support and having easy access to healthcare can decrease suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

What Can Individuals Do?

While many contributing factors to suicide are systemic in nature, individuals can still make a difference by advocating for these changes, looking for signs in friends and family, and being able to offer resources or referrals when its needed.

If someone that you know is talking about suicide or not wanting to be alive or displaying sudden changes in behavior, such as isolating when they are usually more social or vice versa, consider having a conversation with them about whether they might need to take steps to keep themselves safe. 

• In the United States, you can call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Or use the Lifeline Chat at 988lifeline.org/chat/. Services are free and confidential.

• If you’re a U.S. veteran or service member in crisis, call 988 and then press 1, or text 838255. Or chat using veteranscrisisline.net/get-help-now/chat/.

• The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the U.S. has a Spanish language phone line at 1-888-628-9454.

• Call Blackline (1 (800) 604-5841) provides a space for peer support, counseling, reporting of mistreatment, witnessing and affirming the lived experiences for folxs who are most impacted by systematic oppression with an LGBTQ+ Black Femme Lens. Call BlackLine® prioritizes BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color).

• Call 911 in the U.S. or your local emergency number immediately.

If someone is posting something concerning related to suicide on social media, you can contact safety teams at the social media company. They have processes to reach out to connect the person with the help they need.

But ultimately, one of the most important things that you can do when someone talks about suicide is to listen to them and remain calm. If you don’t have the capacity to talk with them about what they’re experiencing, that’s ok–you can help connect them to someone who can. 

The American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy recommends talking openly and directly, using words like “suicide,” and “kill yourself” rather than remaining vague. 

As much as you are able to, try to be non-judgemental and accept their feelings even if you disagree. While it may feel scary or counter-intuitive, validating their feelings will not encourage them towards suicide. Debating or attempting to talk someone out of what they’re feeling  may just make the person shut down to the idea of support.

How Do Mental Health Professionals Handle Suicidal Ideation or Plans?

We sometimes hear people talk about their fears and concerns around opening up about suicidal thoughts to mental health professionals and what this would mean.

Unfortunately, although hospitalization services are designed to keep a person safe, they can sometimes be experienced as traumatic. When someone has to be kept physically safe at all costs, sometimes this comes at the expense of personal choice, autonomy, and comfort. As a mental health provider, I completely understand the intensity of this trade-off, and I don’t take a decision like hospitalization lightly.

Every mental health professional has their own comfort level in working with suicidal ideation and behavior, so it may vary a bit, but in best practice our concerns will always be discussed with you directly and clearly.

We will assess whether you are experiencing ideation that is “passive,” meaning that you don’t have an intention to act on it, or whether it is more “active,” meaning that it is something that you either intend to follow through on or cannot guarantee that you won’t follow through on.

We will also explore with you your motivations for not following through on suicidal action and what supports you have. Do you have reasons not to follow through on suicidal actions, even if the thoughts are sometimes there?

Another consideration is whether or not you have access to the means to follow through on any suicidal actions (i.e. weapons, pills, etc.), and any imminent plans to do so. 

It is up to the mental health provider to make a determination after collaboration with the client whether they are able and willing to keep themselves safe or whether other intervention might be needed. This can include plenty of resources aside from hospitalization, including recruiting a family member, partner, or friend. 

An important takeaway is that suicide ideation is not the same as a specific, imminent plan to die by suicide, and even with a plan or intent there are various degrees of intervention that can be used to keep a person safe. 

Unfortunately, suicidal thoughts can be quite common in the population of people who seek out mental health services, but it does not indicate any failing on a person’s part. We want you to feel like you can talk to us about what you’re experiencing without fear of further pain and alienation–you have nothing to be ashamed of. 

We are here for you.

Contact us today if you’d like to learn more about our services and how we can support you on your journey towards healing and recovery. You deserve validation, understanding, and compassionate care.

At Sage Stone Counseling, we hold that everyone should have the right to mental health care. We focus on providing affirming and safe therapeutic space to marginalized groups of all kinds, and are here to help. If you or a loved one is seeking support from a therapist, consider contacting us today.