National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month was created to educate the public on how to identify those struggling, how to talk about suicide, and provide community resources.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide is among the top 9 leading causes of death for people ages 10-64 and the second leading cause of death for people ages 10-14 and 25-34. As you can see, suicide affects everyone, no matter their age. So, let's take a look at some action steps you can take to prevent this from happening to you or your loved ones.
- Learn more about the warning signs and risk factors from the Suicide Prevention Resource Center.
- Read the Work/Life Connections-EAP article, What Do I Say When Someone is Talking about Suicide?
- Call 988, the new Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, if you or someone you know is in crisis. Similar to 911 for medical emergencies, the new 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers 24/7 call and text with trained crisis counselors. Individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts, substance use, a mental health crisis, or emotional distress are encouraged to call as well as loved ones who know someone in need of support. You can also use the Lifeline Chat. Services are free and confidential.
Having thoughts of harming oneself does not mean that someone is weak, but it does mean that someone is struggling. If you need mental health support, call 615-936-1327 to schedule a confidential appointment with one of our EAP Counselors.
