When someone lethally injures themself on purpose, it’s called suicide. If someone injures themself with the goal of ending their life but does not die, this is called a suicide attempt. People who suffer from addiction are at increased risk for suicide.
Unfortunately, in the past few years, suicide has tightened its grip on the American public. The Centers For Disease Control (CDC) estimates that at least 41,000 people die every year by suicide. In 2022, nearly 50,000 deaths in the U.S. were a result of suicide. Millions of people every year seriously consider suicide, make a plan attempt suicide, or attempt suicide.
Beginning in 2008, American health officials have been attempting to mitigate suicide through awareness and education promoted during September, dubbed National Suicide Prevention Month (SPM), with the added effort of National Suicide Prevention Week between September 10 and 16 every year. Despite the darkness that suicide casts over millions across the country, the sustained effort to address and control suicide rates is a strong reminder that there is hope and a second chance available for anyone willing to be supported.
The Conference That Put Suicide Prevention On The National Radar
In the late 1990s, the medical community held a conference in Reno, Nevada, to address national health concerns, including suicide. The conference resulted in several key takeaways:
- Approaches to suicide prevention need to acknowledge and stress the inherent worth, dignity, and irreplaceable nature of every human being.
- Suicide is not a simple phenomenon, nor is it triggered solely by mental illness or trauma. Societal, political, social, physical, religious and societal
conditions can create the desire to commit suicide. Experiences of societal situations involving oppression, discrimination, racism, sexism, homophobia, stigma, and prejudice can all influence someone’s decision to commit suicide.
- Certain groups, like people from the LBTQ+ community, people with SUD, and Native Americans, are more likely to commit suicide than others.
- All Americans, American leaders, and American groups and organizations are responsible for promoting suicide prevention.
How You Can Play Your Part in Suicide Prevention in South Carolina
With the key Reno Conference takeaways in mind, there are three concrete things you can do in your life today to help prevent suicide nationwide.
It’s true that many suicides can’t and won’t be prevented, especially when there are no warning signs or indications that suicide is being considered by a friend or loved one. What we can control, however, is our response to a potential warning sign that does present itself. Therefore, the first step to take this September is to be aware of signs of impending suicide:
- Expressing feelings of burdening others and/or communicating feelings of hopelessness or despair
- Communicating that life feels like a trap or has become unbearably painful
- Talking about wanting to die and/or searching for ways to obtain firearms, poisons, or other objects that facilitate death
- Anxious, agitated, reckless, or drug and substance-centered behaviors
- Noticeable oversleeping or sleep deprivation along with or independently of social isolation or withdrawal
- Fits of rage, desires of revenge, extreme mood swings, and giving away belongings
Secondly, know who you can rely on for resources and support. The suicide hotline in the United States can be reached by dialing or texting 988.
Thirdly, know the different events and campaigns running during September, like the Out of The Darkness Walk for suicide prevention. You can consult the American Foundation For Suicide Prevention’s website to keep up with their calendar.
What Waypoint Recovery Center in Cameron and North Charleston Can Do To Support You
National Recovery Month coincides with Suicide Prevention Month. If you’re suffering from addiction and you feel suicidal, there is hope. Our professional, caring team can meet with you or your loved one to provide a thorough assessment and create an individualized treatment plan to help you break through your addiction, address your mental health needs, and embark on long-term recovery. Reach out to us today—your life matters, and we want you to live it to the fullest.
