Suicide Prevention Month is in the month of September for individuals who may have dealt with loss of a loved one through suicide or someone who deals with suicidal thoughts. But what are the causes to suicide and suicidal thoughts? We talk about suicide prevention month but what’s in place to help fight the growing rate of suicide?
Suicide Prevention month is globally in September with September 10 being World Suicide Prevention Day. The reason people may deal with suicidal thoughts or attempts could be due to their living situation, family problems, not feeling supported for being lgbtq+, history of self-harm, struggle with cultural beliefs, history of mental illness, traumatic past, sexual assault, and experiences of abuse.
But those aren’t the only reasons why an individual would feel that way. Awareness and resources for help have changed quite a bit from the time when our teachers and school staff were students to now. There are many more support systems in place now than when they were our age. Changes have been significantly different since 1990’s to the early 2000’s with people once believing only our physical health mattered and that mental health was “just in our head”.
Ms. Reed, one of Kenwood’s student counselors expressed how we no longer heavily destigmatized suicidal thoughts and attempts. “The most significant change is how aware everyone is when it comes to mental health, how destigmatized it is, and how open people are to talking about it. I feel like more people nowadays are open to talking about their own mental health and the struggles that they or family members and friends have gone through,” she shares.
According to the CDC, today suicide is the second leading cause of death for people between ages 15-24. In considering what is different about our support systems now Ms. Reed adds, “A major difference is our generation has more of those online resources people didn’t have before like being able to send a message for needed support. Social media didn’t exist in the 90’s, so if you needed help or had questions your options were to find someone face to face to talk to, physically go to a library to do research, or call a helpline if it was an emergency.”
BCPS now offers a free to students service called Talk Space that is free to all students 13 and older. In today’s society, we now have lines to call or text when we’re in distress. For example, 988 is a national suicide and crisis hotline where anyone can message or call a person. For in person help you can go to a trusted adult, family/guardians, teachers, counseling, or a therapist.
Suicide Prevention Month is more than just this month as people she should be aware of their options for help at all times. For more resources and information about mental health and suicide prevention check out our other past articles:
Recognizing and Helping Youth with Mental Health
BCPS Mind over Matters Mental Health Campaign
