What You Can Do to Support Suicide Prevention Month Efforts.
September Drug-Free Ashley County meeting. In recognition of National Suicide Prevention Month, our Healthcare Professional Sector Leader, Dr. Barron Griffin, will present “Suicide Awareness in Arkansas.” The presentation is designed to increase awareness of suicide and equip participants with information and basic skills to respond to a person considering suicide. Here is an SAMHSA post with more information.
By: Anita Everett, M.D., DFAPA, Director, Center for Mental Health Services
Ask almost anyone about suicide, and you’ll likely find they have been personally impacted by the loss – or near loss – of a loved one. It’s perhaps not surprising given the statistics. In 2022 alone, more than 49,000 people in the United States died by suicide, the highest number ever recorded in this country. That means one death every 11 minutes. And sadly, there are millions more Americans who considered or attempted suicide.
Experiencing a suicidal crisis or losing a loved one to suicide can take a toll on families, friends, caregivers, and communities. And while this urgent public health issue affects all ages and generations, it has been particularly devastating for young people, who have reported increasing rates of anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions in recent years. It’s important to note that mental health conditions alone do not mean a youth will experience suicidal thoughts. Instead, a range of risk and protective factors – at the individual, relationship, community, and societal levels – can influence suicide risk.
September marks Suicide Prevention Month – a time to remember the lives lost to suicide, acknowledge the millions more who have experienced suicidal thoughts, and the many individuals, families and communities that have been impacted by suicide. It’s also a time to raise awareness about suicide prevention and share messages of hope. It is a time to embrace the message: “No Judgment. Just Help.” Read More