By the time an individual is faced with the urge to commit suicide, there are so many other different underlying factors that have to have forced him or her to the verge of attempting the ultimate step. It’s just one big problem, composed of multiple mental illnesses, stress, drug use, not having anyone to rely upon. Raising awareness during suicide awareness month exposes these complicated concerns and helps people find support to overcome them.
Being someone – precisely, mentally ill person – requires a lot of effort as well simply due to the very fact that some stigma is still present relating to it. This involves the society’s overall perception of mental disorders as something bad and shameful. This leads to a situation where the patient is incapable of seeking help and in some cases, their conditions might worsen.
In addition, it crushes you to know that! Besides the death of a suicide person, this unfortunate act renders the surrounding people into a drive of grief. It ripples through, touching everyone around, starting with their family, friends, and at times the whole local community.
This month represents a period when different entities ranging from individuals, organizations, groups and communities gather en masse to raise awareness on mental health issues, break the stigma around suicide and help those who have attempted suicide to face the challenge.
National Suicide Awareness Month is an occasion when individuals, and familes, living through the tragedy, a notification that suicide is essentially all over the world. Making the issue of suicide prevention a priority will enable us to launch discussions, provide support, as result, preserve lives.
Reason to Promote Suicide Prevention Awareness month
There are many compelling reasons to promote Suicide Awareness Month. First, suicide affects individuals, with 79% of suicide victims being male, even though more women attempt suicide. Men commit suicide four times more often. Also, suicide is the second highest cause of death among 10-14-year-olds, the third among 15-24-year-olds, and the twelfth overall in the US. Studies suggest that 90% of suicide victims had mental health symptoms, although only 46% had a confirmed mental health issue.
Suicide has a major community impact. Many high-risk populations have serious suicidal thoughts annually. The rate is 4.8% for U.S. adults, 7.4% for Native Hawaiian/other Pacific Islanders, 8.2% for mixed/multiracial people, and 8.5% for American Indian/Alaska Natives. Young adults 18-25 have 13%, high schoolers 22%, and LGBTQ youngsters 41%.
American Indian/Alaskan Natives have the greatest suicide rate, followed by non-Hispanic whites. Lesbian, homosexual, and bisexual youth are four times more likely to attempt suicide than straight youth, while transgender individuals are roughly nine times more likely than the overall population. Finally, local jail inmates die most from suicide.
These data demonstrate the need of suicide prevention awareness to reduce the personal and community effects of suicide.
Suicide Prevention Strategies
Everyone can help prevent suicide and develop healthier individuals, families, and communities. Comprehensive public health is needed to prevent suicide. The Suicide Prevention Resource for Action (Prevention Resource) from the CDC provides suicide prevention advice based on the best evidence. This resource can help states and communities make suicide prevention decisions. Strategies in the Prevention Resource range from focused interventions for high-risk people to population-based initiatives.
Strengthen Economic Supports
- Secure household finances.
- Keep housing stable.
Make Safe Environments
- Reduce suicide-risk persons’ access to fatal measures.
- Create positive company policies and cultures.
- Community policies and behaviors reduce drug use.
Improve Suicide Care Access and Delivery
- Cover mental health in health insurance.
- Increase underserved provider availability.
- Provide remote, fast help.
- Increase suicide care safety through systematic reforms.
Encourage Healthy Relationships
- Promote healthy peer norms.
- Participate in community activities
Teaching coping and problem-solving
- Sponsor social-emotional learning.
- Give parenting classes to strengthen family ties.
- Promote resilience through education.
Identify and Help Risky People
- Train gatekeepers to spot and address suicide risk.
- Respond quickly to emergencies.
- Make safety preparations and follow up following suicide attempts.
- Provide recovery therapies.
Reduce Damage and Risk
- Support survivors following suicide using postvention.
- Discuss suicide responsibly.
History and Importance of Suicide Awareness Month
Suicide Awareness month, created by Congress in 1974, was its origin. Mental health and suicide prevention awareness were the goals.
This one day became a month of suicide prevention. September was chosen since fall is related with despair and suicide. After summer break, schools and communities are back in full swing, making it a great opportunity to increase awareness and initiate mental health conversations.
Suicide Awareness Month has gained in relevance and awareness. Communities, organizations, and individuals come together to comfort suicide victims, raise awareness of prevention, and promote mental health education and advocacy.
Events during Suicide Awareness Month
Many events and activities take place nationwide during Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Walks, fundraisers, instructional sessions, and candlelight vigils are examples. Communities and organizations go all out to promote suicide prevention.
People participate differently. Others may attend or volunteer, while others organize activities. Events and awareness are regularly organized by schools, corporations, and local governments.
Colors for Suicide Awareness Day
The colors of Suicide Awareness Day are purple and turquoise. Purple prevents suicide while turquoise raises awareness. To promote awareness and support suicide prevention, wear clothing or accessories in these colors, decorate your house or workspace, or use them in social media posts.
Coping with Loss
Suffering from suicidal loss impacts individuals greatly and is very intense. The point to keep in mind is that you are not the only and there are supportive systems developed with the ultimate goal of helping you find ways to cope with your grief and live with it.
We have special kind of support groups for the people the family members the person who has lost his life because of suicide. The groups give you a chance to tell your story, to meet others who have been in a similar condition and to be reminded of some strategies to cope with feelings you may have. Also, counseling and therapy to ventilate your anger and work out the psychologically taxing experience can be of tremendous help.
Being able to recall and mark your loss as an honor for the one you lost is a process that can help you heal. It could be anything from initiating a special memorial, volunteering in a suicide prevention task, to any other creative channels of expressing your emotions, e.g, writing or drawing.
Final words
Suicide Awareness Month is drawing to a close, but this doesn’t mean that the battle against suicide is concluded. On the contrary, the prevention of suicide is a lifelong journey. Urge your readers to go on providing information and helping mental health projects/programs to get bigger outside of their communities.
In case you or anyone around you is having challenges and constantly having feelings of hopelessness, please don’t hesitate to seek help. Help is still there, it is at hand, it has numerous resources; it includes hotlines, counseling services, and support groups that can provide assistance and support.
