September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.
This month, an emphasis is placed on raising awareness of suicide.
Suicide is often stigmatized and not spoken about. When it happens, families and communities are crushed, don’t know what to say to others and experience guilt asking what could have been done to prevent it.
This month, we are challenged to change our perceptions, spread hope, provide resources that discuss it and encourage families and those feeling depressed to seek help.
Ages 15 years to 25 years are the most common ages for suicide. Suicide increased during the pandemic when most persons were in isolation. Some common types of problems that move people to feel unworthy and lose hope include:
» Feeling unhappy, sad, or irritable most of the time.
» Feeling worried, nervous, overwhelmed and/or anxious most of the time.
» Having emotional struggles that interfere with ability to engage in healthy lifestyle habits (eating, sleeping, exercise) and/or your ability to function at work, at school, at home, or in relationships, bullying at school or from others.
» Having thoughts of harming self and/or others.
» Struggling with substance abuse or other addictions – or struggling with a loved one who has an addiction.
» Experiencing a significant life change or loss. Examples are illness, death of a loved one, divorce, loss of a relationship or a job/income change.
» Having an eating disorder and/or struggle with body image.
» Experiencing abuse at any time in life and struggling with it effects now.
» Having difficulty communicating effectively with people.
» Having difficulty with your own sexual orientation or the sexual orientation of someone in your life.
Signs of suicide include withdrawing from family, friends and activities; experiencing anxiety and depression; talking about not wanting to live or be a burden to others; buying weapons; stockpiling pills; increasing use of alcohol and/or illicit drugs; taking dangerous risks – driving, sex with multiple partners; having a plan for committing suicide and being abnormally happy in days leading up to suicide (feeling a relief).
What can be done to prevent suicide? If suicidal, get immediate help. Call 911. Call 988. If feeling hopeless, have a daily routine that gives a feeling of control; live a healthy lifestyle; meditate/ reflect; communicate with others; perform hobbies that bring pleasure; count your blessings and be a blessing to others. Families and friends can observe for signs of suicide, communicate with person, get help and be there for them.
Mental health professionals include psychiatrists (MDs), advanced nurse practitioners (APN), psychologists (PhD or PsyD), social workers (LCSW), marriage and family therapists (LMFT) and counselors (LCPC).
They adhere to strict ethical guidelines, as well as federal and state regulations governing privacy and confidentiality. Clients can expect that information shared with the clinician will be kept confidential, except as otherwise required by law. Examples of such exceptions include when a client is dangerous to self or others and when there is any suspicion of child or elder abuse.
“You need something to do, someone to love and someone to love you.” ~ Mollie Holman, CSW
Resource: Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 988 (call or text); Chat 988lifeline.org; National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) 800-950-6264.
Rev. Jiles Taylor-George, RN, BSN, MSN is native of Tallahatchie County. She is a Certified Family Caregiver Support Group Facilitator and Certified Grief Counselor.
