Suicide Prevention Month Week 2

I hope you had a great Labor Day weekend! As we enter the second week of Suicide Prevention Month, death by suicide remains the 10^th leading cause of death in the United States. Let's look at how the statistics vary based on location, gender, and method for ending life according to the CDC:

• Suicide rates for urban and rural areas increased overall from 2000 through 2018, increasing for rural suicide rates, compared with urban, after 2007.
• In 2018, the rural male suicide rate (30.7 per 100,000) was higher than the urban male suicide rate (21.5); the rural rate for females (8.0) was higher than the urban rate (5.9).
• Over the period 2000–2018, the rural male suffocation-related suicide rate more than doubled (3.7 compared with 8.8), and in 2018, the rural male firearm-related suicide rate (18.7) was 63% higher than the urban male firearm-related suicide rate (11.5).
• Over the period of 2000–2018, the rural female suffocation-related suicide rate more than quadrupled (0.5 compared with 2.4), and firearms remained the leading method of suicide in rural females.

Unfortunately, these numbers are going in the opposite direction of the way we would like. So many of us work or live in rural communities, and as you see above, the risk of death by suicide in rural communities is much higher than their urban counterparts. The work we do is so important!

This will be information that many of you know, but I feel it bears repeating because we can help prevent death by suicide.

The Suicide Prevention Resource Center defines risk, protective factors, and warning signs:

• Risk factors are characteristics that make it more likely that an individual will consider, attempt, or die by suicide.
• Warning signs indicate an immediate risk of suicide.
• Protective factors are characteristics that make it less likely that individuals will consider, attempt, or die by suicide.

Risk Factors for Suicide

Certain events and circumstances may increase risk (not in a particular order, except the first one).

• Previous suicide attempt(s)
• A history of suicide in the family
• Substance misuse
• Mood disorders (depression, bipolar disorder)
• Access to lethal means (e.g., keeping firearms in the home)
• Losses and other events (for example, the breakup of a relationship or a death, academic failures, legal difficulties, financial difficulties, bullying)
• History of trauma or abuse
• Chronic physical illness, including chronic pain
• Exposure to the suicidal behavior of others

Warning Signs of Suicide

• Often talking or writing about death, dying or suicide
• Making comments about being hopeless, helpless or worthless
• Expressions of having no reason for living; no sense of purpose in life; saying things like "It would be better if I wasn't here" or "I want out."
• Increased alcohol and/or drug misuse
• Withdrawal from friends, family and community
• Reckless behavior or more risky activities, seemingly without thinking
• Dramatic mood changes
• Talking about feeling trapped or being a burden to others

Protective Factors

• Contacts with providers (e.g., follow-up phone call from health care professional)
• Effective mental health care; easy access to a variety of clinical interventions
• Strong connections to individuals, family, community and social institutions
• Problem-solving and conflict resolution skills

We use these in our work with patients every day, and it makes a difference!

Here are some great resources to learn more on suicide prevention and to share with your communities:

You can attend NIMH Livestream Event on Suicide Prevention During COVID: A Continuing Priority. Register by clicking here.

You can attend a free two-day seminar, The Clinician's Suicide Prevention Summit: Treatment Strategies to Inspire Hope and Save Lives.

Thank you for all you do!