Preventing Suicide: A Guide For Professionals And Care Givers
The suicide rate in the US is 25% higher than 20 years ago, with more than 44,000 people per year ending their lives. If that doesn’t sound bad enough, consider that suicide is a serious public health issue as 94% of people who die by suicide have a diagnosable and treatable psychiatric disorder at the time of death. That’s why we put together this guide on how to prevent suicides for those in and out of mental health professions. We hope this helps you to prevent suicides to some degree, because it is an epidemic that needs our attention in a greater manner.
It’s important to emphasize the importance of reaching out for help if you or someone close to you are suffering from suicidal thoughts. A first step can be calling 800-273-TALK (8255), a free, 24/7 hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. The hotline is available to you regardless of your race, color, religion, sexual orientation, or national origin. You can also text the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 for support.
In the US:
94% of those who die by suicide have a diagnosable and treatable psychiatric disorder at the time of death. This is important because it means that if someone you know may commit suicide they likely have an accompanying mental illness with their suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
This is important because it means that if someone you know may commit suicide they likely have an accompanying mental illness with their suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Half of all suicides in the US are carried out by people with a known mental health condition, though most do not have a history of treatment
over 40% of those who died by suicide had contact with a mental health professional in the month prior to death, but less than 25% were receiving any type of treatment at the time of death.
One in five people treated for a mental health condition never received treatment for their illness after the initial diagnosis
75% of people who die by suicide had contact with mental health professionals within the last year. However only 44% felt that their doctor knew about their thoughts of suicide and only 39% had actually received any treatment from a mental health provider.
One out of three people who die by suicide has a serious mental illness. The clinical definition of “serious problems” is based on the number of symptoms recognized and the amount of time over which the symptoms have been present. In other words, a serious mental illness is one that would interfere with normal activities, require long-term treatment (e.g., 2 years), and/or require inpatient hospital treatment (e.g., 3 months). It can be very helpful to think of this in terms of the severity of the mental health problem that the person has.
The clinical definition of “serious problems” is based on the number of symptoms recognized and the amount of time over which the symptoms have been present. In other words, a serious mental illness is one that would interfere with normal activities, require long-term treatment (e.g., 2 years), and/or require inpatient hospital treatment (e.g., 3 months). It can be very helpful to think of this in terms of the severity of the mental health problem that the person has. If you are worried about someone, it is time to get help right away. You may have heard that people sometimes let suicidal thoughts “pass”, but these thoughts don’t just go away on their own and they don’t usually pass. They usually get worse with time, and there is a real risk that the person might take their life if you do nothing .
. Don’t take suicide threats lightly – even if you know that the person has been threatening suicide for a long time, and has made these threats in the past.
– even if you know that the person has been threatening suicide for a long time, and has made these threats in the past. Call 911 if someone is in immediate danger of harming themselves or others . It doesn’t matter where you are – call 911.
. It doesn’t matter where you are – call 911. If you are concerned that someone is suicidal, do not leave the person alone . This is one of the most important things to remember because it could save their life if they go through with it. Assess their safety and assess your own safety first and then call for help, even if there is no immediate danger to you.
. This is one of the most important things to remember because it could save their life if they go through with it. Assess their safety and assess your own safety first and then call for help, even if there is no immediate danger to you. If you suspect someone is suicidal, do not let them go on your own . All calls for help must be made in person or by phone (800-273-TALK). Do not wait for them to contact you.
. All calls for help must be made in person or by phone (800-273-TALK). Do not wait for them to contact you.
Conclusion
Suicide is always tragic and tragic. Now is the time for us to come together to acknowledge the enormity of this crisis and work towards solutions. The focus has to be on the people who end their lives, so we can prevent them from doing so and provide those who are at risk with the help they need before it’s too late.
You can find further suicidal thoughts information on NIMH’s website for you to review.