One person dies by suicide every 11 minutes in the US, and locally, the rate has been climbing year-over-year. These unsettling trends show how important it is to focus on suicide prevention and suicide therapy efforts, so with September marking Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, it’s time to stop down and think about how to support those who may be struggling.

Suicide Awareness – Deaths Are Rising

More than 3,400 people died by suicide in Florida in 2019. The rate statewide has fluctuated over the past few years, but it has steadily risen in Duval County. In 2019, 177 people died by suicide. That’s an increase from 164 people in 2018 and 155 people in 2017. In all of those years, the rate of suicide deaths compared to the population was higher in Duval County than in Florida overall.

And while suicide affects people at any stage of life, in Duval, teens are especially at risk, with the rates of middle and high school students considering or attempting suicide rising over the years.

These numbers don’t even account for 2020, which brought incredible mental health challenges because of quarantine and lockdown measures relating to COVID-19.

Suicide Prevention – The Warning Signs

Anyone can experience suicidal thoughts, even if they present publicly as cheerful and driven. You never know what’s happening behind the smile. The National Alliance on Mental Illness says about half of people who die by suicide are diagnosed with a mental health disorder, but around 90% of people have experienced symptoms- that means a person doesn’t have to be “labeled” in order to be at risk of suicide.

There are some factors that could put someone at a higher risk of suicide, like mental health or substance use disorder; history of trauma or abuse; prior suicide attempt(s), family history, or local cluster of suicide; “triggering” incident like loss of job, breakup, major medical diagnosis, etc. These risk factors don’t have to be present for someone to commit suicide, but it’s important to be sensitive to their presence.

Specific behaviors by a loved one- whether they’re new behaviors or behaviors that have increased- should not be ignored:

  • Talking about wanting to die, how to kill themselves
  • Talking about feelings of hopelessness, being trapped, or being a burden
  • Withdrawing from family, friends, and activities
  • Acting anxious, agitated, reckless
  • Changing sleeping patterns
  • Exhibiting extreme mood shifts
  • Increasing substance use

Supporting Those Struggling With Suicidal Thoughts

Nearly 62% of Floridians with a mental illness do not receive treatment- which is higher than the national rate of just under 56%.  That is partly driven by access to care. Florida ranks 44th out of the 50 states in the US in terms of access to mental health care.

The low level of help-seeking is also connected to the stigma that persists around seeking mental health support. Because of that, one truly life-saving step you can take to help a loved one is to talk to them. It can be scary to have this conversation, but it’s important to do it, and do it directly. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline recommends speaking in a non-judgemental way, giving the opportunity for your loved one to talk about how they’re feeling, and offering hope. You should also remove anything the person could use to commit suicide (like weapons or pills), stay with them so they’re not alone, and seek professional support.

For immediate support, you can contact the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK(8255). If there is an imminent life-threatening risk, you can contact 911.

Once the crisis has passed, you can continue to support your loved ones by helping them connect with long-term resources. The Jax Therapy Network has a searchable database of local, licensed mental health professionals that specialize in a range of mental health concerns.

And, where possible, support prevention awareness efforts to hopefully limit the number of people who reach crisis level. You can add your voice through social media campaigns, volunteer in support of awareness efforts, and/or talk openly with your loved ones about mental health, so that they know they have a judgement-free outlet they can turn to.

Ready to find your therapist? Search the Jax Therapy Network and find help with suicidal thoughts or suicide prevention support through counseling services near you with therapy from professional therapists and mental health counseling support.