National Suicide Prevention Month
September is National Suicide Prevention Month providing a reminder for us all to honor those who we have lost to suicide, support those living with suicidal thoughts, and reach out to our loved ones and communities to check in on their wellbeing. This is also the perfect opportunity to raise awareness and take action in the fight against suicide. The impact of suicide reached new heights in 2022 when It reached its record high of 49, 476 deaths in the United States, causing approximately one death every eleven minutes.1
In Spring 2023, Amarillo College distributed the Healthy Minds Survey to better understand the mental health needs of our student population, finding that 45% of our students live with moderate to severe levels of depression and 14% of our students (approximately 1 in 7) have had serious thoughts of suicide within the last year. As suicide has become the second leading cause of death for individuals ages 10-14 and 25-34 and the third leading cause of death for individuals ages 15-24, it has never been more critical for our communities to become involved in the changing the conversation about mental health.2
While these statistics may be sobering, it is important to keep in mind that suicide is preventable, help is available, recovery is possible, and this generation is doing more than ever to raise awareness and have open, honest conversations about the importance of cultivating emotional wellbeing. You don’t need to be a mental health professional to be a part of this movement! Here are five actions that you can take to take action this September and throughout the year:
1. Educate yourself about the warning signs of suicide. Knowing when you or someone you know needs support is the first step. Click here to check out information on warning signs from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
2. Learn how to have the conversation. Don’t be afraid to ask those around you not just how they are doing, but how they are REALLY doing. The conversation can start with a simple, “Are you okay?” Be present, listen without judgment, and offer supports. Mental Health First Aid is a great tool to learn more about how you can help someone in need, and you can get trained at AC for free! Click here to register for the next opportunity on Friday, November 15th.
3. Spread kindness to your loved ones and community. Small acts of kindness go a long way in letting people know that they are seen, they are valued, and they are important. Consider reminded those around you that you care with spending quality time with them, giving small gifts, or simply reminding them that they matter.
4. Get involved in the community. The community hosts annual suicide prevention events for all of Amarillo to attend. There are still chances to engage in fun and educational activities through the “War of the Wagons” hosted by the Texas Panhandle War Memorial on September 28th and Amarillo’s “Out of the Darkness” Community Walk hosted by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention on October 5th at Sam Houston Park. If you are a survivor of suicide, our Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors (LOSS) Team is looking for advocates to provide to support those affected by the loss of a loved one in the most critical times. If you would like to learn more, please contact our LOSS Team Coordinator, Jae Casias, at (806) 342-2549 or jcasias@fss-ama.org.
5. Know the resources. If you or anyone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide, the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 by phone or text at 988. As an AC employee, talk to HR about your benefits and check out the supports you have in your Employee Assistance Program, which provides six free and confidential counseling sessions. The Panhandle Mental Health Guide is a great resource to understanding what supports are offered in our area. Be sure to check out the Counseling Center’s resources for students by visiting our website at https://www.actx.edu/counseling/.
References:
Curtin SC, Garnett MF, Ahmad FB. (2022). Provisional estimates of suicide by demographic characteristics: United States, 2022. Vital Statistics Rapid Release; no 34. November 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/vsrr/vsrr034.pdf
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS). Atlanta, GA: National Centers for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/injury/wisqars/index.html .
Blog written by Jerrod M. Hinders
