Sept. 10 through Sept. 16 is National Suicide Prevention Week. According to The National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH), “40,000 people die by suicide each year in the United States.” Although we should always be aware of the effects of suicide, this is an especially relevant time to remind everyone of the signs, risk factors and how you can help prevent suicide.
The NIMH emphasizes that “[s]uicidal thoughts or actions are a sign of extreme distress, not a harmless bid for attention, and should not be ignored.” The most obvious sign to look out for is when people talk about being in inescapable emotional pain. A more subtle sign would be an increase in their use of alcohol or drugs.
People can be more at risk of suicidal thoughts if they have a family history of suicide or mental illness. Other risk factors include being abused or being exposed to others’ suicidal behavior.
If you know someone that is suffering from these thoughts, there are steps you can take to help. The first step is asking them about it and getting them to be open instead of keeping it a secret. Listen to what they have to say and make sure they know they are being heard. Stay connected with them, and give them little opportunity to be and feel alone. Director of Counselling Services Tim Morenz stressed that the best way to help is to take the national course, “Mental Health First-Aid.” It costs $4.99, and gives the “training that [you] will need, not as a professional, to assess for suicidal ideation, listen non-judgmentally and to encourage self and professional help.”
If you know you are struggling with depression, there are also lifestyle changes you can make before it gets to the point of suicidal thoughts. Morenz said, “20 minutes of sustained aerobic exercise plus 20 minutes of unfiltered outside light exposure provide the same boost in serotonin as most antidepressants.” Healthy changes in your diet and sleep schedule can also help.
If you are suffering with suicidal thoughts and behaviors, the suicide hotline number is 800-273-8255, and the text line is 741741. Specifically for members of the LGBT community, you can call The Trevor Project’s suicide hotline, 866-488-7386.
There are services at Blackburn where you can get help, like the Blackburn College Support System. It is an app that you can download called 7 Cups: Anxiety and Stress Chat. It’s a free anonymous listening service you can use at your disposal.