Suicide is a leading
cause of death in the United States with about one death by suicide occurring
every 11 minutes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC).
In observance of
Suicide Prevention Month, Aspirus Health aims to raise awareness about the
often-stigmatized topic of suicide and educate people on how to help prevent
it.
“Suicide is
preventable, and it doesn’t require special training to help out a loved one in
a meaningful way,” says Dr. Desire Christensen, psychiatrist with Aspirus
Behavioral Health in Stevens Point. “Everyone can play a role by learning to
recognize the warning signs, showing compassion, and offering support to
someone who may be going through a difficult time.”
If someone is at
risk for suicide, you can watch for warning signs, including:
- Talking
about being a burden
- Being
isolated
- Increased
anxiety
- Talking
about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
- Increased
substance use
- Looking
for a way to access lethal means
- Increased
anger or rage
- Extreme
mood swings
- Expressing
hopelessness
- Sleeping
too little or too much
- Talking
or posting about wanting to die
- Making
plans for suicide
“If a person is
struggling with suicidal ideation, involvement of a mental health professional
is recommended to evaluate for underlying diagnoses that may be contributing to
this risk,” says Dr. Christensen. “For example, ADHD is one of the most common mental
health diagnoses in youth. Most people do not associate this diagnosis with
suicidal thinking, but individuals with ADHD are 5 times more likely to
consider suicide and 2 times as likely to attempt suicide. Treatment of ADHD
has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of suicide.”
If you or someone
you love is struggling with behavioral or mental health issues, Aspirus
Health’s team of mental health specialists can help. Learn more at www.aspirus.org/behavioralhealth.
People in crisis or
having thoughts of suicide, and those who know someone in crisis, can contact
the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline to connect with a trained crisis counselor.
Call or text 988 or use the chat at 988lifeline.org.
988 is confidential, free, and available 24/7/365.
For more immediate
crisis intervention support for yourself or a loved one, call 911 and get to
your closest Aspirus Hospital and Emergency Room.