Suicide Prevention. Right now. Is everyone’s job.

Today – September 10th – was World Suicide Prevention Day. I couldn’t go to sleep tonight without saying something.

Here in the U.S. this week (September 6-12) is National Suicide Prevention Week. This is the sixth National Suicide Prevention week for which I’ve been a survivor of suicide loss; the sixth consecutive year that I have felt compelled to say something.

What I’ve had to say in the past:

• 2015: I’m a breast cancer survivor, but I’m not raising money for breast cancer this October. Here’s why.
• 2016: His story
• 2017: Let’s talk about this – it may save a life
• 2018: This week
• 2019: How do we talk about suicide

I hope what the progression through the years shows is my growth as a survivor. I believe, now at this point almost six years later, that I have provided an example of our resilience as humans and that we all do have the ability to move forward.

More importantly, I hope what I have shared has been a lifeline for someone else. I hope I have raised awareness so each and every one of you knows that it can happen to someone you know. And that reality has helped you act before it was too late.

As my personal journey with suicide loss has been focused on healing and creating awareness, we still see suicide rates continuing to rise. Now, during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic, experts fear an even greater increase in suicides (for more on this read Are We Facing a Post-COVID-19 Suicide Epidemic | Psychology Today)

According to the CDC, “the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been associated with mental health challenges related to the morbidity and mortality caused by the disease and to mitigation activities, including the impact of physical distancing and stay-at-home orders. Symptoms of anxiety disorder and depressive disorder increased considerably in the United States during April–June of 2020, compared with the same period in 2019.”

While suicide statistics have only been published through 2018, the CDC study shows that 40% of adults in the U.S. reported struggling with mental health issues. The people most at risk are those 18-24, Latinos, Blacks, and essential workers.

“According to a Boston University School of Public Health study published last week by the JAMA Network, prevalence of depression symptoms has risen 3 times higher during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to before. The 21st also takes a look at a recent piece from The Trace in July showing how in Cook County, Illinois, there has been an alarming rise in suicides in Black communities.” (The 21st Show | Illinois Public Media, 10 Sept 2020)

The bottom line is that we must lookout for our friends and family. Now. Today. We can not assume that everything will be alright. Reach out to the people you care about to see how they are.

Recognize the risks. Become familiar with the warning signs. Know what you can do to help.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is a wealth of information. Please read. Please share.

From CNN “World Suicide Prevention Day: Here’s how to help”:

If you live in the US and are having suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 for free and confidential support. It’s open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For crisis support in Spanish, call 888-628-9454.TrevorLifeline, a suicide prevention counseling service for the LGBTQ community, can be reached at 866-488-7386.

Crisis Text Line provides a live, trained crisis counselor via a simple text for help. The first few responses will be automated until they get a counselor on the line — which typically takes less than five minutes. If you are in the US or Canada, text 741741. If you are in the UK, text 85258 and those in Ireland can text 50808. The National Health Service also lists a variety of resources on its website.