This Saturday, we join thousands of organizations across the country and globally in observing World Suicide Prevention Day. Suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States and is even more common among young people. The suicide rate has increased sharply in the past decade – recent data shows that one person dies by suicide every 11 minutes in our country. Suicide is a public health crisis, and with diligent care, it is preventable. As much as these numbers may feel overwhelming or detached from human experience, the path to generating awareness involves leading with care, dignity, and compassion, especially when the lives of vulnerable people are at stake.
How Suicide Impacts Families and Communities
When a person dies by suicide, the tragic impact sends shockwaves through their family, friends, and people in their extended community. The hardship loved ones experience when they lose someone to suicide has a dramatic ripple effect and contributes to a broader pattern of violence, lack of mental healthcare support, and hopelessness. Suicide rates are staggering – 46,000 people died by suicide in 2020, and suicide rates have increased by 30% in the past twenty years. These figures fail to capture the number of people who attempt suicide, plan to commit suicide, or have seriously thought about suicide - as many as 17 million Americans fell into one of these categories in recent years. This staggering number reflects the immense impact felt by those who are severely depressed or have known someone who has died by suicide. It is a relief that up to 90% of people who attempt suicide and survive can go on with their lives. However, contemplating or attempting suicide often results in serious physical, emotional, and economic difficulties that can last decades.
Self-harming behavior or attempts at suicide commonly lead to long-term injuries, prevent a person from seeking gainful employment, and can cost families enormous medical sums. By one estimate, the average cost of a single suicide is $1.3 million, factoring in a family’s work loss and the price of healthcare. This economic burden can’t begin to account for the social and emotional toll that suicide takes on families and communities. According to one study, knowing someone who died by suicide causes long-term grief, depression, PTSD, and suicidality.
Risk Factors for Suicide
There is a clear pattern associated with suicides and more widespread suicidal behavior. When a person is exposed to repeated instances of violence or traumatic, shocking experiences, they are more likely to experience mental health disturbances and are at an increased risk for suicide themselves. This is particularly true for individuals with severe depression, a history of substance abuse, or in cases where a person has witnessed, perpetrated, or been the victim of a violent act. Abusive relationships can also increase a person’s suicide risk if they are in volatile or high-conflict households, lack social support in their family or community, or are burdened by financial stress. People who feel isolated, unable to take proactive measures for their health, or unable to seek care for emotional and psychiatric distress are more likely to turn to suicide. The stigma associated with mental illness and treatment can be paralyzing to some. All too often, suicide attempts happen because of barriers to proper health services, mental health evaluations, and care.
Marginalized people experience the highest suicide rates – notably Native American populations, LGBTQ people, and populations that are afflicted by poverty. Social, economic, and racial inequality plays a role in many of suicide’s most pronounced risk factors – notably, the lack of a social safety net.
As mentioned, young people are particularly prone to suicide attempts. In people who are 14-34 years old, suicide is the second leading cause of death; it is the third leading cause of death in young people ages 10-14 years. Disturbances and emotional upsets that occur in childhood are major contributing factors for young adults, and the impact of childhood trauma increases suicidal behavior for people during their adulthood. These issues are particularly sensitive for us at Maryvale, where we work to cultivate physical and mental health, stability, and connectedness to empower young people to lead fulfilling lives.
Yes, You Can Help with Suicide Prevention
If you or someone in your life is considering suicide, please seek help immediately. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is always available to connect with people in crisis. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is another option for immediate support and can be reached at 1-800-273-8255 or by dialing 988.
The Center for Disease Control has several compelling strategies to reduce suicide risk in vulnerable populations on a longer-term basis. The first involves increasing economic access and helping stabilize housing, living conditions, and financial wellness. On a personal level, a valuable preventative approach is to promote a sense of connectedness, interdependence, and purpose within a community. If you’re asking yourself whether you might be able to help someone who is at a high risk of committing suicide, the answer is yes. By reducing isolation and forming bonds, you can establish a foundational sense of care and resilience that are essential counterpoints to suicide risk. Learning and finding ways to cope, solve problems, and gain social-emotional skills can also be community endeavors. Group therapy, trauma-informed education, and practicing healthy family relationships are just a few ways to surface coping skills among trusted groups.
In relationships, work carefully with at-risk people to help reduce any possible sources of stress and remove instruments of harm or substances from their environment. If you have a close friend or family member who is at risk, be sure to have frequent contact with the person in question, remind them that they are cared for, and build their trust. When dealing with a person who has already mentioned, planned, or attempted suicide, “postvention” comes into play. During this process, you can help the healing process by instilling hope, energy, and a sense of a positive future.
At Maryvale, we take mental health matters very seriously and integrate connectedness, community, and a sense of belonging into our many offerings. From early education to after-school programs, residential services, and mental health support, we have the people and expertise in place to support long-term healing. If you’re interested in learning more about our programs or building integrated mental health conversations into learning, get in touch.
