SUICIDE
None of us like to talk about it. Most of us don't even like to think about it. Suicide is an issue that often gets pushed aside, ignored, or down-played. Why? Why should we be ashamed or afraid to talk about an issues that affects so many of us? More importantly, why do we continually refuse to educate our children and ourselves about suicide, its signs, and ways to reach out to/for help? We know it happens, so why do we refuse to do anything to stop it?
Don't think it will happen to someone you know?
In Spokane County, suicide takes the lives of more than one person every week.
There is no "typical" suicide victim - it can happen at any age, any ethnic background, and any financial situation.
Children as young as 10 have committed suicide and those even younger have considered it.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death in Washington's youth.
1 in 13 high school students in Washington have attempted suicide.
1 in 4 high school students in Washington have considered suicide.
The majority of youth suicides involve an in-home firearm.
Suicides among 10 to 14 year old girls has tripled since 1999 (going from 50 to 150)
Suicides have increased among middle-aged (25-45) white men and women.
Suicides among Native Americans have drastically increased since 2009.
The number of suicides, in general, has climbed every year since 2009.
In Spokane County, the rate of suicide has nearly matched that of the national average during the Great Depression.
The national average of suicide is at a 30 year high.
Silence kills. If we don't start talking about suicide, we can't stop it.
Signs that require immediate attention include:
Talking about hurting themselves
Trying to gain access to firearms, medications, or other means of suicide
Talking about death, dying, or suicide (if that is out of the ordinary)
Other warning signs include:
Increased substance abuse (drugs or alcohol)
No sense of purpose, no reason to live
Feeling trapped
Hopelessness
Withdrawal from family, friends, and society in general
Rage, uncontrollable anger, seeking revenge
Engaging in risky behavior (seemingly without thinking)
Diminishing hygiene
Drastic change in sleeping habits
Giving away personal belongings
Recent trauma or crisis
Often times, suicidal individuals will show one or more of these signs without realizing it. They are often in such a bad mental state that they can't process information normally or they may feel as if they are completely alone and can't reach out for help. If you recognize these signs in someone you know, please, don't turn away and don't wait for them to reach out to you. Reach out to them and help them take that first step to recovery.
Take it seriously.
Don't brush it off as teenage angst or a mid-life crisis. Don't assume it's merely a cry for attention when, in reality, it's a cry for help.
Ask the question - Are you thinking of suicide?
Asking it will in no way increase their chances of actually doing it. In fact, it shows them that someone cares enough to ask and will often open a dialogue about why they are considering suicide in the first place. If you ask, listen carefully to everything they have to say. Suicide often isn't about wanting to die. It's about not wanting to live. Help them recognize reasons they have to live as it may be difficult for them to see them on their own. You do not have to be a trained professional to help someone contemplating suicide.
Convince them to seek professional help or call a professional yourself to get additional guidance.
911 Emergency
838-4428 First Call for Help
1-800-SUICIDE National HOPE Hotline
1-800-273-8255 VA Suicide Hotline
And please, visit these websites for more information:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline