About Mental Health
What You Need to Know About Suicide Prevention
Suicide takes far too many lives in the U.S. every year. In 2020, 45,979 lives were tragically cut short due to suicide, impacting the lives of everyone around them. In fact, suicide is the second leading cause of death for people ages 10 to 34.
And the number of people who contemplate suicide is even higher. According to the CDC, an estimated 12.2 million American adults seriously thought about suicide, 3.2 million planned a suicide attempt, and 1.2 million attempted suicide in 2020 alone.
Suicidal thoughts or behaviors are dangerous and constitute a psychiatric emergency. If you know someone is having suicidal thoughts or behaving in a way that suggests they may be considering suicide, you should seek emergency crisis care immediately. If your loved one is in crisis and needs help, you can escort him or her to the Bridge Center’s facility any time day or night. Your loved one does not need a referral or an appointment, and he or she will not be turned away.
Suspecting that someone you care about is suicidal can be terrifying. You desperately want to protect them but may feel helpless. And it’s not always easy to identify if your loved one is having suicidal thoughts or contemplating suicide.
Here are some warning signs to watch for. If your loved one is showing signs of suicidal thoughts or behaviors, please seek help immediately.
Express threats or comments about killing themselves, also known as suicidal ideation. These kinds of comments can begin with seemingly harmless thoughts like “I wish I wasn’t here” but can become more overt and dangerous.
Express feelings of hopelessness or a belief that others would be better off without them.
Increase alcohol and drug use.
Display aggressive behavior. A person who’s feeling suicidal may experience higher levels of aggression and rage than they are used to.
Withdraw socially from friends, family and the community.
Experience dramatic mood swings. These can indicate that your loved one is not feeling stable and may feel suicidal.
Become preoccupied with talking, writing or thinking about death.
Engage in impulsive or reckless behavior.
Lose interest in normal activities.
Lose interest in normal activities.
Noticeably change sleeping, eating and grooming habits.