suicide prevention

Supporting Adults through Mental Health Challenges

While we all come together in September to raise awareness for suicide prevention, it can be difficult to support those who are not ready or willing to share their challenges. Unfortunately, there is still often a stigma associated with reaching out for help for mental health services. The good thing is we can be the eyes and ears of those around us.

The focal point for advocacy and awareness is often centered around youth, when in actuality males ages 34-85+ have the highest rates of suicide, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Men make up 50% of the population but almost 80% of all suicides for adults. Firearms are used in 55% of adult suicides, making them the most common method used.

Although more women than men attempt suicide, men are 4x more likely to die by suicide.

Other important facts to remember regarding adults, suicide, and mental health challenges include:

  • 1 in 5 people are at risk for having a mental health challenge
  • 13.2 million have seriously thought about suicide
  • 3 million have a plan
  • 1.6 million have attempted suicide

How can we support those who may be at risk? The biggest thing is to watch out for warning signs and symptoms. All of us get stressed at different times in our lives, but sometimes it can become overwhelming to a point where a person needs extra support, especially during major life changes (loss of job, divorce, etc.). These are just a few things to look out for:

  • Talking about death, dying, or suicide, or that the world would be “better off without them”
  • Changes in sleeping or eating patterns
  • Withdrawing from friends and/or family
  • Not showing up to events or activities that they typically would attend
  • Quitting activities that they used to enjoy doing

While all of this can seem overwhelming, the great thing for everyone is that there is HOPE. With proper intervention and treatment, the person can recover. There are trainings YOU can take to help you better notice warning signs and intervene, including Mental Health First Aid and Question. Persuade. Refer.. There are also resources available. The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 988 is a simple, easy number that anyone struggling with suicidal thoughts or mental health crisis can call or text anonymously 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Ohio State University Extension also has county-specific mental health resource guides available at go.osu.edu/countyresourceguide.

Remember, don’t be afraid to check in on each other during difficult times. It is okay to not be okay!

Author: Bridget Britton, Behavioral Health Field Specialist, Ohio State University Extension

Reviewer: Jenny Lobb, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Franklin County

Sources:

CDC. Suicide Data and Statistics. https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/facts/data.html

National Alliance on Mental Illness. Suicide Prevention Month. https://www.nami.org/get-involved/awareness-events/suicide-prevention-month/

Beyond September, Recognizing Suicide Prevention for Children

sad child alone in dark

Dedicating an entire month to suicide prevention is a wonderful way to recognize the importance of this epidemic…but it is not enough. According to an article published in Pediatrics, suicide is the second leading cause of death for 10- to 24-year-olds in the United States. Which is why youth mental health education must be a daily investment. We tend to think about suicide as something affecting children only after they reach the tumultuous teen years, but studies show that while not as common, younger children are also at risk. Alarmingly, young children are experiencing high levels of stress exacerbated by negative influences such as social media, bullying, lack of resources, and poverty.

Children who have mental health illnesses such as depression, anxiety, or oppositional defiant disorder are at greater risk for dying by suicide. Other risk factors include substance use disorder, changes related to puberty, physical or sexual abuse, and exposure to other’s suicide.

According to SAMSA, parents should be familiar with the following warning signs that their child may be struggling:

  • Feeling very sad or withdrawn or easily irritated for more than two weeks
  • Seriously trying to harm or kill themselves, or making plans to do so
  • Experiencing sudden overwhelming fear for no reason, sometimes with a racing heart or fast breathing
  • Getting in many fights or wanting to hurt others
  • Showing severe out-of-control behavior that can hurt oneself or others
  • Not eating, throwing up, or using laxatives to make themselves lose weight
  • Having intense worries or fears that get in the way of daily activities
  • Experiencing extreme difficulty controlling behavior, putting themselves in physical danger or causing problems in school
  • Using drugs or alcohol
  • Having severe mood swings that cause problems in relationships
  • Showing drastic changes in behavior or personality
  • A drop in their school performance

The Mayo Clinic urges parents who believe their child is considering suicide to call 911, their local emergency number, or a suicide hotline. In the United States, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Or use the Lifeline Chat. Services are free and confidential. The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the U.S. has a Spanish language phone line at 888-628-9454 (toll-free).

Author:  Heather Reister, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Butler County 

Reviewer:  Jenny Lobb, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Franklin County

Sources

For parents and caregivers of children. SAMHSA. (2023, April 23). https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health/how-to-talk/parents-and-caregivers

Hua, L., Lee, J., Rahmandar, M., & Sigel, E. (2024, January). Suicide and suicide risk in adolescents | pediatrics | American Academy of Pediatrics. Pediatrics. https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/153/1/e2023064800/196189/Suicide-and-Suicide-Risk-in-Adolescents?autologincheck=redirected

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2023, May 5). What parents need to know about teen suicide. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/tween-and-teen-health/in-depth/teen-suicide/art-20044308

Reflecting on One Year of 988

As we transition into National Suicide Prevention Month, we celebrate the milestone of the launching of 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Nationwide. This switch allowed youth and adults to go from memorizing a 1-800 number to the easy-to-remember 988. Read on to learn more about 988, what the last year has taught those in mental health care, and where improvements can be made moving forward.

What is 988?

  • Think the equivalent of 911 only 988.
  • Simply call, text, or chat 988 when you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health challenge or thoughts of suicide.
  • A mental health professional will answer the call and it is entirely anonymous, available 24/7.

What have the benefits been?

  • Almost 5 million people have contacted the line in the last year, 2 million more than the previous one.
  • The average answer time went from 2 minutes and 39 seconds to 41 seconds.
  • There are specialized options for Veterans, Spanish subnetwork, and LGBTQI youth.
  • It is available in all 50 states.
One year of 988

Where can the work continue to improve when it comes to 988?

  • The message change is still not widely known. 988 is still new, and advocacy for the change is still crucial. There is a fantastic toolkit available with free resources for people to use.
  • Breaking down the stigma that it is “okay to not be okay”, and talking to someone about mental health in the moment reduces the need for future services.
  • Ongoing improvements to the infrastructure of 988 calling centers. Currently, the call centers are statewide and cover regional areas, but the goal is to make them more localized in each county to mimic 911 services.

Written by: Bridget Britton Behavioral Health Program Specialist, OSU Extension

Reviewed by: Heather Reister, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, OSU Extension Butler County

Sources:

Mental Health First Aid, mentahealthfirstaid.org

Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/988-one-year-anniversary-issue-brief.pdf