Suicide is a public health crisis. Each year, more than 700,000 people around the world die as a result of suicide, making it one of the leading causes of death for people between the ages of 15 and 29. In the United States alone, suicide ended the lives of nearly 50,000 individuals in 2021 according to the CDC —a 30% increase from 2000. And experts believe that for every individual who dies by suicide, around 25 others have attempted to take their own life.
Numbers like this are shocking, but their sheer scale can make them hard to digest, too. As these numbers represent individuals, people with full lives, and loved ones. The bottom line is this: nearly half (46.7%) of people know someone who has died by suicide. Broken down further, this means that for every suicide death, around 135 other people are affected, including family members, friends, co-workers, and more.
Even if you have been fortunate enough not to have known someone who died by suicide, you have almost certainly still experienced the effects of suicide, whether you knew it or not. In 2019, it was estimated that the total monetary cost of suicide and self-harm was $490 billion, including “medical costs, work loss costs, value of statistical life, and quality of life costs.”
At the end of the day, suicide impacts everyone. And as with any other type of public health crisis, it is our responsibility to ourselves and to each other to make an effort to keep one another safe.
How To Prevent Suicide
Although it might not seem like it, everyone is capable of practicing evidence-supported suicide prevention techniques in their everyday life. In fact, research on suicide prevention has shown how even small things—like education and vigilance—can have a surprisingly big impact.
The fundamentals of suicide prevention include:
- Educate Yourself.
Most people who die by suicide show warning signs ahead of making an attempt. Sadly, these sometimes go unnoticed or unacknowledged until it’s too late. Familiarizing yourself with the red flags that commonly precede suicide attempts (such as depression, dramatic changes in mood or behavior, preoccupation with death) can help you recognize when someone is suicidal and potentially intervene. - Ask.
Suicide can be difficult to talk about. What’s more, there’s a common misconception that talking about suicide might make someone more likely to consider or attempt it, which can make people hesitant to bring it up.
The key to talking about suicide is to approach the conversation from a place of care and compassion, to listen without judgement, and to offer help and support if you’re able. If you’re wrong, the worst thing that happens is that you have an awkward conversation while still showing the other person that you care. But if you’re right, you could save someone’s life.
- Fight Back Against Stigma.
Stigma around suicide and mental health can make it harder for people who are feeling suicidal to speak out about what they’re going through and get the help they need. On top of that, stigma can also make the grieving process more difficult for the families and loved ones of those who have died by suicide.
Normalizing conversations about mental health is one of the biggest steps we can take to fight stigma. In addition, pay attention to your words and try to avoid stigmatizing language around suicide and mental health-related topics. - Know What To Do in Crisis.
In the event that you are with someone who is actively having a mental health crisis and/or whom you believe to be in danger of a suicide attempt, being able to respond correctly is critical.
First and foremost, look out for your own safety. Don’t try to intervene if you feel that your own well-being may be in danger.
If you can, stay with the person and try to keep them calm. Try to remove any weapons, dangerous items, or substances, such as guns, knives, drugs/alcohol, car keys, or medication. Encourage them to call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Alternatively, you can call your local Crisis Center, or in a life-threatening emergency 911 or take them to the nearest emergency room. - Exercise Your Civil Rights.
Suicide is most often attributed to mental health concerns, but in reality, it also has roots in a number of other factors and deeper systemic issues. Substance use, lack of access to healthcare, community violence, economic and/or housing instability, past trauma, and more can all be risk factors for suicide.
While most of these things are outside our immediate control, we can make our voices heard by voting for political candidates and legislation that provide funding for mental health care and social support services.
The American Association of Suicidology (AAS) is dedicated to promoting the understanding and prevention of suicide, as well as providing support, hope, and healing to those who have been affected by it. AAS promotes the study of suicide as a research discipline, as well as public awareness programs, public education, and training for professionals and volunteers. AAS membership includes mental health and public health professionals, researchers, suicide prevention and crisis intervention centers, school districts, crisis center volunteers, survivors of suicide loss, attempt survivors, and a variety of lay persons who have an interest in suicide prevention.
By joining the AAS, the largest and oldest suicide prevention membership organization in the U.S., you will be among the ranks of the world’s leading suicidologists and suicide prevention experts. Ready to join? Individual and Organizational Memberships are available!
The American Association of Suicidology (AAS) is dedicated to promoting the understanding and prevention of suicide, as well as providing support, hope, and healing to those who have been affected by it. AAS promotes the study of suicide as a research discipline, as well as public awareness programs, public education, and training for professionals and volunteers. AAS membership includes mental health and public health professionals, researchers, suicide prevention and crisis intervention centers, school districts, crisis center volunteers, survivors of suicide loss, attempt survivors, and a variety of lay persons who have an interest in suicide prevention.
By joining the AAS, the largest and oldest suicide prevention membership organization in the U.S., you will be among the ranks of the world’s leading suicidologists and suicide prevention experts. Ready to join? Individual and Organizational Memberships are available!