Suicide prevention is necessary info to know

KEVIN ROSALES

REPORTER

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2020 12.2 million seriously thought about suicide, 3.2 million made a plan to commit suicide, 1.2 million attempted suicide, and 46,000 people died by suicide. In 2020, suicide was among the top nine leading causes of death for ages 10-64. As shown, suicide is an incredibly large problem that most people don’t know how to deal with. Both for those they suspect may commit suicide or for themselves having thoughts of suicide.

Suicide has no single determining cause or factor. Suicide happens in response to multiple biological, psychological, interpersonal, environmental, and societal influences that interact with one another, often over time. Anyone can be in danger of suicide. Though some are more likely to be at risk of suicide than others.

Suicide rates vary by race, ethnicity, age, living factors, area, and much more. According to the CDC in 2020, suicide rates were four times higher in men than in women. People over the age of 85 had the highest suicide rate than any other age. People in rural areas experienced much higher rates of suicide than in urban areas. Those who experienced violence had a higher risk. For example, veterans had a 52.3% higher suicide rate than those who didn’t serve. Even where someone works can determine who is more at risk. Those in the construction and extraction industry have higher suicide rates.

Some other common risk factors that increase the possibility of suicide, but might not be the direct cause, are; if you have previously attempted suicide, have a mental illness such as depression, if you are socially isolated and don’t interact with others for long periods of time, are involved or affected by criminal activity, have financial troubles, have impulsive or aggressive tendencies, have job problems or have lost your job, are dealing with legal troubles, developed or are dealing with a serious illness, are dealing with a substance abuse problem, have adverse childhood experiences such as child abuse and neglect, are being or have been bullied by others, have a family history of other family members committing suicide, have relationship problems such as a breakup, violence, or loss of a loved one, have cultural and religious beliefs that suicide is a noble resolution of a personal problem, believe in negative stigmas associated with mental illness or help-seeking, and have easy access to lethal means like firearms or medications. These are all reasons that can put you at a higher risk of suicide.

To be clear, suicide is preventable, and there are multiple ways to prevent it. The first step is to figure out how to determine if someone is thinking about committing suicide and to know the warning signs.

Warning signs include if someone is talking about killing themselves, feeling hopeless, having no reason to live, being a burden on others, or feeling trapped. Another is if they are having changes in behavior. Such as increasing their use of alcohol or drugs. If a person is looking for a way to end their life, such as looking up ways online. It may also include; withdrawing from activities, family, and friends, sleeping too much or too little, visiting or calling people to say goodbye, giving away prized and valuable possessions, and experiencing extreme moods of either depression, anxiety, disinterest, irritability, humiliation, shame, anger, or sudden improvement in mood. Then it is likely that they are seriously planning to commit suicide and help for them is needed as soon as possible.

What is also needed is knowledge on how to reduce suicide rates overall. Here are some potential ways how suicide can be reduced. One way is strengthening economic support systems; reinforcing household financial security and house stabilization policies. Studies from the U.S. examining historical trends indicate that suicide rates increase during economic recessions marked by high unemployment rates, job losses, and economic instability. If systems are in place for financial security, it decreases suicide rates.

Another is increasing access and delivery of suicide care. If people have coverage for mental health conditions in health insurance policies, and if there are reduced provider shortages in underserved areas, then it makes it easier to access resources and care for those who are at risk of suicide.

Creating protective environments for those who are suspected to attempt self-harm or suicide is another strategy. This happens by reducing access to lethal means among people at risk, having organizational policies and culture that promote protective environments, as well as community-based policies to reduce excessive alcohol use. Studies have shown that those who excessively use alcohol have a higher chance of being at risk.

Another plan of action is promoting connectedness among individuals and communities that may protect against suicidal behaviors. It decreases isolation, encourages adaptive coping behaviors, and increases belongingness, personal value, and worth. Peer norm programs that normalize help-seeking, reaching out and talking to trusted adults, and promoting peer connectedness lower the chances of someone being at risk.

Teaching coping and problem-solving skills that grant strategies to cope with immediate stressors or identify and find solutions to problems is encouraged. Those with the inability to employ these strategies are characterized among suicide attempters. Teaching and providing youth with the skills to tackle everyday challenges and stressors, therefore, is important to suicide prevention.

Another strategy is being able to identify and support people at risk. This can be done by gatekeeping training for those in the community to identify people who may be at risk of suicide and to respond effectively, as well as crisis intervention and treatment for people at risk. Crisis intervention typically looks like contacting referral services and connecting a person in crisis to trained volunteers or professional staff. Treatment for those who are at suicide risk can include various forms of psychotherapy, delivered by licensed providers to help individuals with mental health problems and other suicide risk factors.

There is also a part in prevention when someone actually does commit suicide. Postvention is after a suicide has taken place. Surviving friends, family members, or other close contacts are debriefed and counseled. It is also very important to have safe reporting and messaging about suicide. How a recent suicide is communicated to the public can heighten the risk of suicide among vulnerable individuals and can inadvertently contribute to suicide contagion. Suicide contagion is when people are exposed to the act of suicide, resulting in an increase in suicide and suicidal behaviors.

We talked with Jen Meyer, clinical services coordinator from the Taylor County Human Services Department and asked if suicide prevention should be taught in schools and if so, should it be taught to both teachers and students?

Jen said, “Definitely can be taught in schools to students and teachers alike, as mental health, it is part of our overall health. What about the churches, pharmacies, bus companies, taxis, area factories, stores, gun shops, bars/taverns, the post office, courthouse, medical providers, beautician/barbershops, restaurants? Truly any place that works with people, especially when they are not feeling their best.”

When Jen was asked, what should a parent do if their child appears suicidal? Jen said, “Step one, take it seriously, have the hard conversation with their kiddo. Step two, get the kiddo in to see their counselor or Primary Care Doctor ASAP, unless it is more imminent, then take them to the nearest Urgent Care. Either resource will refer to necessary specialized behavioral health providers if necessary. Call 988 or even 911 if necessary. This agency staff will assist 24/7 with anyone help-seeking, we have crisis counseling available as well Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.” For more direct ways to help yourself or those around you at immediate risk, contact resources such as those in your community who are QPR (Question, Persuade, and Refer) trained. Those who are QPR trained are those trained to spot the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to respond. If that is not an option, contact the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline either by calling or texting the 988 number or going to the website lifeline.org. Making contact with this lifeline is confidential, free, and available 24/7 all year long.

For more local help, call the Taylor County Human Services Department at 715-748-3332. The intake worker will answer questions and refer to the appropriate services. Be aware that there may be fees but no one will be denied services due to an inability to pay. For afterhours crisis service, contact the Taylor County Sheriff’s Department at 715-748-2200. They will arrange for a Human Services staff member to assist with the crisis.