THRIVE Your journey to mental well-being
Suicide Awareness and Prevention
Table of contents 2
Introduction
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Suicide facts
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Identifying suicidal intent and how to respond
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Spectrum of current risk for suicide
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Risk factors and protective factors
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What you can do
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Language matters: change the conversation
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Additional resources & ways to seek help
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Each suicide is a preventable tragedy that affects the lives of many. Having awareness of the risk factors and warning signs for suicide empowers us to promote prevention and create an environment of safety and support. Together, we can make a difference through increasing our awareness and learning how to support our friends, family, colleagues and ourselves. If you need help, don’t be afraid to reach out. Asking for help is a sign of strength. Engage in the resources outlined in this toolkit. If you are having thoughts of suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline in the United States at 1-800-273-8255, or visit this page for a list of help lines by country. Every life matters!
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Suicide: The Facts Every year, close to 800,000 people die due to suicide, or one person every 40 seconds. Many more attempt suicide.
Suicide affects people of all age groups in all countries. It is not just those with a diagnosed mental health condition that are at risk of dying by suicide.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death among those ages 15-29 globally. In the United States, it is the 10th leading cause of death.
In 2017, the suicide rate was 1.5x higher for U.S. Veterans than for non-Veteran adults over the age of 18.
In 2018, nearly 50,000 American died by suicide, additionally there were an estimated 1.4 million suicide attempts.
In the U.S. the highest rate of suicides is in middle-aged white males.
World Health Organization https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/suicide
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When a friend or loved one expresses suicidal intent, oftentimes we don’t know what to do. It’s important to take every threat seriously and understand what your friend or loved one may be feeling. They may have a genuine belief that they have become a burden to those around them. They may have a strong sense of isolation and hopelessness. Additionally, they may have the ability or the means to end their life.
Suicidal intent might sound like:
Suicidal intent might look like:
• “I feel like a burden”
• Sudden, increased social isolation
• “I have nothing to live for”
• Giving away material possessions and pets
• “I’d be better off dead”
How to respond to a threat of suicide: 1. Take the threat seriously.
• Dramatic shifts in mood or behavior
2. Validate the persons fears and emotions. “You must be feeling very scared, please let me help you.”
• Engaging in risky behavior or increased substance use • Possessing lethal means (medications, weapons, tools)
3. Confirm their plan to end their life. “I want to understand what you’re saying...”
• A preoccupation with death or dying
4. Call emergency support and stay with the person until help arrives.
• Saying goodbye
The core instinct of all living things is to live. Those contemplating suicide may have such a significant imbalance that their most basic and core drive is no longer functioning. To them, suicide is not a selfish option, as their brain chemistry may lead them to believe the world would be much better off without them in it.
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Spectrum of current risk for suicide IDEATION Spectrum of fleeting consideration to detailed plan
INTENT
LEARNED FEARLESSNESS
Very serious risk.
Imminent plans.
High probability of enactment.
Sense of competence.
Ideation sounds like: “I wish I could fall asleep and not wake up.” “I don’t want to keep living this way.”
Intent sounds like: “I finally bought a gun yesterday.” “I could just take a bunch of pills.”
Increased risk taking behavior. Learned fearlessness sounds like: “I’ve practiced how I would hold the gun.”
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Risk Factors • Negative view of self • Hopelessness • Past attempt • Feeling like a burden • Increased substance use
Protective Factors Access to helping professionals: doctors, therapists, psychiatrists (such as My Life Resources) Relationships with family and/or friends Responsibility for caring for someone else
• Recent significant loss
Resilience
• Access to lethal means
Connectedness to a community (faith-based groups, group hobbies or sports)
• Recent suicide of a family member or close friend
Sense of purpose or value
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What can you DO
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Make a safety plan: • Always keep fire arms locked away and stored unloaded • Store medications out of reach of children and teens • Store chemicals and cleaning products in a safe way • Identify a good support system
Virtual considerations: Identifying risk factors virtually may be more difficult. Conversations should remain the same, but seeking help may be different. When speaking with a person in crisis, keep them on the phone and engaged with you as you work to get assistance for them. Don’t hang up or disconnect until help has arrived. Use statements like: “I want to help you.” “You matter to me.” “Your life is important.” “I'm going to stay with you until we can figure something out together.”
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There is no wrong way to talk to someone or offer help. Many may fear saying or doing the wrong thing. Together, we can remove the shame and stigma and save lives. As we face the tragedy of suicide, we must REACH beyond what we have done before. REACH is for everyone – helping individuals who are offering support to a loved one who is struggling and helping those who are struggling themselves seek support.
When we REACH to those in need we:
R E A C H
REACH out and ask, “How are you…really?” Listen and offer hope. ENGAGE them about possible risk factors and changes in their life to better understand their pain. ATTEND to their safety. Unless you are concerned about your safety, stay with them. CONNECT them to resources such as supportive friends and family, professionals or a crisis line. HELP them make and maintain a plan to stay safe. Encourage them to share it with others.
When we REACH because we are hurting, we:
R E A C H
REACH to a loved one or someone we trust. Don’t be afraid to reach out — now. ENGAGE those we trust and discuss life changes and risk factors that are contributing to our pain. ATTEND to our safety and surroundings. Contact someone who can stay with us if we are worried about ourselves. CONNECT with family, friends or appropriate professionals. Contact a crisis line. Be as honest as we can so they can help. HELP others understand how they can help us stay safe. Share a safety plan if we have one.
Language matters
Change the language – change the conversation. Talking about suicide does not lead to people dying by suicide. To prevent suicide, we need to be able to talk about it openly without fear or shame. This topic can feel uncomfortable or even scary, but to say nothing at all would be a disservice to your loved one or friend. While there is no wrong way to offer help, how we talk about suicide matters. Rethinking our language makes communication more effective and is important in overcoming stigma. Instead of asking a loved one or friend: “Are you thinking of hurting yourself?” Change the language to ask,
“Do you have thoughts or a plan to kill yourself?” Oftentimes people considering suicide do not want to hurt themselves, but want to end the pain they’re experiencing. Using specific words like "suicide" or "kill yourself" are crucial in effective communication about suicide.
Criminal terms are harmful We commit crimes — we do not commit suicide. Instead of saying “committed suicide,” say, “died by suicide.” Instead of saying “A person who attempted suicide,” say “suicide attempt survivor.” Instead of considering suicide “an easy way out,” consider that it required a great deal of courage.
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Additional resources & seeking help Visit THRIVE for more resources, including: • Suicide Awareness page • Educational videos, including Suicidal Ideation • Healthe Minds toolkit for associates • Resources to support your team • My Life Resources • How We R.E.A.C.H. Coaching Tool If you are having thoughts of suicide, please call a lifeline or hotline in your area: • U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 • Visit this page for a list of help lines by country.
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