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World Suicide Prevention Day 2021: How to help

2021-09-10T09:46:08.633Z


There are ways each of us can help prevent suicide. Here's how to do your part.


Pandemic, determining factor in the increase in suicides in Mexico 1:57

(CNN) -

More than 700,000 people die by suicide each year, according to the World Health Organization.

In other words: every 40 seconds, someone in the world takes their own life.

That's a sobering statistic to ponder today, on World Suicide Prevention Day 2021.

Suicide rates have been increasing for years in some parts of the world.

In the United States alone, suicide rates increased by 35% between 1999 and 2018. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) calls suicide a "growing public health problem."

Experts fear that suicidal thoughts may increase due to economic difficulties and mental stress caused by another deadly crisis facing the world: Covid-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus.

A major public health group estimated last year that as many as 75,000 Americans could die from drug or alcohol abuse and suicide related to the pandemic.

President Joe Biden expressed his concern in a proclamation released Thursday announcing that September 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day in the United States.

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"In 2019, suicide was the 10th leading cause of death in the United States and the second leading cause of death for youth ages 10 to 34," Biden wrote.

"And that was before the covid-19 pandemic exacerbated, for many, feelings of isolation, exhaustion, and economic and public health-related anxiety. Rising rates of depression have raised concerns that we will see a further increase. in suicide rates. "

  • Increases stress, depression and anxiety due to covid-19, according to study

A study published in June further highlights those fears.

The CDC found that emergency department visits for suspected suicide attempts began to rise in May 2020 among teens ages 12 to 17, especially girls.

"The weekly mean number of these visits was 26.2% higher during the summer of 2020 and 50.6% higher during the winter of 2021 compared to the corresponding periods in 2019," the CDC researchers wrote. .

Generalized risk

All ages, races and income levels are at risk, and 77% of all suicides occur in low- to middle-income countries, according to the WHO.

Globally, young people may be the hardest hit: Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among 15 to 19-year-olds worldwide, the agency said.

And that's just part of the bleak picture.

For every person who has died by suicide, many more people think or attempt suicide, according to the CDC.

In 2019, 12 million American adults seriously considered suicide, 3.5 million planned a suicide attempt, and 1.4 million attempted suicide.

"If you or a loved one are thinking about suicide, know that you are not alone and that help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling the National Suicide Prevention Line at 1-800-273 -TALK or via Text Crisis Line by texting HOME to 741741, "Biden wrote.

"The new 9-8-8 Mental Health Crisis Line will go into effect next July. By expanding the crisis line and investing in our nation's crisis care infrastructure, we have the opportunity to prevent suicides and save lives." he continued.

  • Pandemic, a determining factor in the increase in suicides of young people in Mexico during 2020

There are ways each of us can help prevent suicide.

Here's how to do your part.

Recognize the signs of distress

There are many risk factors that can lead to increased thoughts about killing yourself.

It's important to acknowledge this in yourself or a loved one, experts say, because many people don't talk about their suicidal thoughts in advance.

Is there a background?

People who have a mood, anxiety, alcohol or other substance use disorder, a major physical illness, or a history of trauma, abuse or suicide in their family are at higher risk, according to the CDC.

Was there a loss?

A death in the family, the loss of a job or the loss of a relationship is a risk factor for suicidal behavior, especially if they feel isolated or alone without social support, says the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Economic distress is a reality faced by millions of people who are out of work right now due to job loss, social isolation or quarantine related to Covid-19.

Is there a belief system that honors personal sacrifice?

People with religious or cultural attitudes who view suicide as a noble resolution to a personal dilemma are at higher risk, according to the Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Can you get a gun?

Research has shown that easy access to firearms is also a key risk factor.

  • Guns can now be carried openly in public in Texas without a permit or training.

    Police say the new law makes their job difficult

Did the person survive a suicide attempt?

Any prior suicide attempt is the most important risk factor, according to the WHO.

But there is also a strange "copycat" phenomenon in which suicides rise after a series of local suicides or the deaths of famous celebrities are reported in the media.

For example, suicide deaths increased by 10% in the US after comedian Robin Williams ended his life in 2014.

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Again, not everyone will give their friends and loved ones verbal clues about their suicidal thoughts.

That's why it's important to be aware of both actions and words to recognize warning signs.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, be careful if your loved one:

  • You increase your use of alcohol or drugs or begin to behave recklessly, such as driving while intoxicated or without a seat belt.

  • Has extreme mood swings, from euphoria to deep depression, or appears agitated, expresses anger, or talks about seeking revenge.

  • Sleeps too much or too little or withdraws or withdraws from others.

  • You seem to be in excruciating psychological pain or you talk about being hopeless or a burden to your friends or family, or you talk about feeling trapped or you have no reason to live.

  • Start looking online for ways to commit suicide, like buying a gun or getting prescription drugs.

  • Start giving away prized possessions or make visits or calls to say goodbye.

Make sure to check in with your loved ones regularly.

  • Listening to loved ones better could protect your brain health, study finds

During the pandemic, families and friends are more isolated and alone, and many warning signs can be difficult to recognize.

Listen carefully when you talk to them about your concerns and see how they are expressed.

If you have suicidal thoughts

See here the lines of attention and prevention of suicide in Latin America, the United States and Spain.

If you live in the US and have suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 (800-273-TALK) for free and confidential support.

It is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

For crisis assistance in Spanish, call 888-628-9454.

TrevorLifeline, a suicide prevention counseling service for the LGBTQ community, can be reached at 866-488-7386.

Befrienders Worldwide connects users with the closest emotional support center for the part of the world in which they live.

Crisis Text Line, which Biden mentioned, is an international service that provides a live trained crisis advisor via simple text message asking for help.

The first few responses will be automated until they have an advisor on the line, which generally takes less than five minutes.

If you are in the US or Canada, text 741741. If you are in the UK, text 85258 and those in Ireland can text 50808. The National Service of Salud also lists a variety of resources on its website.

CNN's Mallory Simon and Jacqueline Howard contributed to this report.

Suicide

Source: cnnespanol

All news articles on 2021-09-10

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