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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the rate of suicide in the U.S. increased 24 percent from 1999 to 2014. Suicide has long been thought of as a mental health problem, but the CDC now warns that it’s become a public health problem. National Suicide Prevention Week, Sept. 5 - 11, and World Suicide Prevention Day, Sept. 10, are efforts to increase awareness.
World Suicide Prevention Day - 10 September, 2016
Light a Candle near a Window at 8 PM
to show your support for suicide prevention,
to remember a lost loved one, and for the survivors of suicide.
If you think you may attempt suicide, get help now:
- Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.
- Call a suicide hotline number. In the U.S., call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. Use that same number and press "1" to reach the Veterans Crisis Line.
To help keep yourself from feeling suicidal:
- Get the treatment you need. If you don't treat the underlying cause, your suicidal thoughts are likely to return. You may feel embarrassed to seek treatment for mental health problems, but getting the right treatment for depression, substance misuse or another underlying problem will make you feel better about life — and help keep you safe.
- Establish your support network. It may be hard to talk about suicidal feelings, and your friends and family may not fully understand why you feel the way you do. Reach out anyway, and make sure the people who care about you know what's going on and are there when you need them. You may also want to get help from your place of worship, support groups or other community resources. Feeling connected and supported can help reduce suicide risk.
- Remember, suicidal feelings are temporary. If you feel hopeless or that life's not worth living anymore, remember that treatment can help you regain your perspective — and life will get better. Take one step at a time and don't act impulsively.
On Mayo Clinic Radio psychologist Dr. Craig Sawchuk discusses suicide prevention.
You can listen to the Mayo Clinic Radio 6/11/16 show.
More resource information:
- Suicide and suicidal thoughts risk factors
- Mayo Clinic Teen Suicide Prevention video
- Reach Out video
- Warning Signs a Teen Might be Suicidal
- NAMI
- Ruth Nearly Lost Her Life to Depression
- Thinking about suicide? How to stay safe and find treatment
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
- Suicide Prevention Lifeline
- American Association of SuicidologySuicide Prevention Resource Center
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