National Suicide Prevention Month Highlights Urgent Need for Awareness and Support

(KNSI) – September is National Suicide Prevention Month, which aims to shine a light on the importance of good mental health and raise awareness about those who may be at risk.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, between 2007 and 2018, suicides increased dramatically and again as we came out of the pandemic.

Central Minnesota Mental Health Center Chief Clinical Officer Doctor Steven Loos shared some grim statistics with KNSI News. “These types of weeks, days and months of awareness are really trying to elevate how big of a concern suicide is within our country. The World Health Organization estimates that about 800,000 people die a year by suicide, which ends up being about one death every 40 seconds.”

The VA estimates that 22 veterans die by suicide each day.

Dr. Loos says they want to get the word out to people to pay attention to their friends, family and themselves when it comes to mental health. He explained what signs people should be on the lookout for when it comes to suicidal behavior. “Many people who are thinking about or struggling with suicidality start talking about death. They might explicitly say that they’re thinking about killing themselves. They might say things like they have no more reason to live. Another really common symptom of suicide is that people start to give their possessions away.”

Other things that people might do are express feelings of hopelessness, talk about being a burden to other people, and show concern about how their lives impact others.

However, Loos believes nationwide awareness efforts are having a significant positive impact. Espically bringing on board 988, the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. “And so, the good news is that while suicidality continues to be a significant problem plaguing the folks in our communities, there are places for help, and more and more people are being brave and choosing to reach out for help.”

Veterans can call 988 and press 1 to speak with someone or text 838255 to reach a qualified responder who is there to help. Veterans do not have to be enrolled in VA benefits to use the crisis lifeline.

The CMMHC’s crisis line takes around 1,300 calls a month. That number is 320-253-5555.

___