September is Suicide Prevention Month and while the topic is very sensitive, we must, as a society, spread awareness and resources for people who are having thoughts of potentially ending their lives.
Mental Health & Wellness Counselor Heather R. Bradford provided me with a wealth of important information on this topic.
According to Centers for Disease Control (CDC) WISQARS, in 2022, a record high 49,500 people died by suicide. The 2022 rate was the highest level since 1941, at 14.3 per 100,000 people.
Then, later on in 2023, it increased to over 14.7 per 100,000 persons.
Suicide was the second leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 10 and 34 and the fourth leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 35 and 44.
“I feel like a lot of people don’t really take mental health seriously and people don’t take it as personally, they don’t see the signs it’s kinda like they don’t understand it or don’t want to understand it,” said Delta student Leanna Smith.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the common symptoms of depression include persistent low mood, loss of interest or pleasure, changes in appetite or weight, sleep disturbances, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, feelings of worthlessness or guilt and thoughts of suicide.
There are not only those kinds of symptoms, but also emotional and mental, physical and behavioral symptoms.
Delta student Cailean Sulton spoke about the ways she would encourage someone who was having thoughts of suicide.
“Well, when it comes to friends I’m very careful of what I say but at the same time I want to be truthful instead of being harsh about it I would say that they go see a professional but also go along with them in a couple of sessions,” said Sulton.
On Aug. 26, NBC News reported that 16-year-old Adam Raine committed suicide, and his parents spoke about how they want him to be remembered.
“I’m worried about people forgetting him because he was so young, so I hope everyone remembers what a sweet, funny, great friend, great son and great brother he was. I just don’t want people to forget him,”
It’s not just a recent phenomenon, either. In September 2018, CBS Evening News shared a story on 17-year-old Alexandra Valoras, who committed suicide.
Her parents later found her two journals, 200 pages full of self-loathing and despair.
“There was just so much joy in everything she did and it doesn’t match what was in that journal,” said Alexandra’s mom, Alysia.
Here are some resources and a hotline for people who need help
- A.S.K Acknowledge, Support, Keep-In-Touch (Active Minds)
- Major Depressive Disorder National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
- The Trevor Project
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
