National suicide prevention day (Trigger Warning)

In light of today being the focus of "suicide prevention", and to highlight warning signs and prevention measures to save lives, below is a scientific evaluation on this awareness issued by the National Mental Health Alliance Association.

Deaths from suicide are only part of the problem. As one statistical example - many more people survive suicide attempts than actually die. In 2015, more than half a million people (505,507) received medical care for self-inflicted injuries at emergency departments across the United States. Almost 1.4 million adults self-reported a suicide attempt and 9.7 million adults self-reported serious thoughts of suicide.

Suicide is usually the result of multiple risk factors. Having these risk factors, however, does not mean that suicide will occur.

Researchers identified some of these risk factors:

History of previous suicide attempts
Family history of suicide
History of depression or other mental illness
History of alcohol or drug abuse
Stressful life event or loss (e.g., job, financial, relationship)
Easy access to lethal methods
History of interpersonal violence
Stigma associated with mental illness and help-seeking

A sense of hopelessness

Protective factors buffer individuals from suicidal thoughts and behavior. Researchers identified some of the protective factors listed below:

Skills in problem solving, conflict resolution, and nonviolent ways of handling disputes
Effective clinical care for mental, physical, and substance abuse disorders
Easy access to various clinical interventions and support
Family and community support (connectedness)
Cultural or religious beliefs that discourage suicide and support seeking help

Know the Warning Signs and Get Help

There are warning signs for suicide, such as feeling hopeless, threatening to hurt oneself or talking about wanting to die, increasing alcohol and drug use, and withdrawing from friends and family.

Research indicates reasons why people suicide can be a multiple combination of reasons and mitigating factors; isolation, loneliness, mental illness, physical chronic pain, abuse, trauma, relationship loss, grief, despair, unemployment, a feeling of hopelessness, financial loss, low self esteem, losing a partner or significant loved one and bullying.

Reaching out to people you suspect are going through the above with kindness and a caring ear offering them "hope" and "discouragement of suicide by this and support offered" can help prevent suicide nationwide.

Give someone a smile and/or hug today, really listening to them to hear if they're are okay, offering hope and encouragement; letting them know that they truly matter and are cared for, goes a long way to saving lives.