According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Suicide rates have increased in nearly all states in the past two decades. The general consensus points to mental health issues as a strong reason behind the high rates of suicide. However, it was found that many people who die by suicide do not have a diagnosed mental health condition at the time of their death. There are a lot of factors that contribute to higher suicide rates, including:
- relationship issues,
- use of materials,
- physical health issues,
- income issues,
- Housing stress, etc.
A joint effort from public care, health care, the media and community organizations is needed to prevent suicides. Each of us, as members of a social community, needs to take practical steps to deal with the high suicide rates. A suicide prevention kit is one such method. Through these suicide prevention toolkits, you will be able to learn important information about preventing suicides in your family and community.
Read more: Emergence of “BIPOC” – Meaning and Interpretation.
Components of a suicide prevention kit
1. Webinars for Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Training
This includes recordings of webinars on important topics such as:
- Suicide prevention skills for parents and caregivers,
- emotional regulation skills,
- Dealing with grief, etc.
[google-ad-in-article]2. Calls to the emergency room, doctor or mental health professional
If you have a family member or friend who has suicidal tendencies, don’t leave them alone. Try to seek help from the emergency room, doctor, or mental health professional. Don’t underestimate suicide comments. Even if you think that said person may not actually commit suicide, he may definitely benefit from proper professional help.
3. Suicide Hotline Numbers
Another important part of any suicide prevention toolkit is a list of suicide hotline numbers.
If you know a family member or friend who may have suicidal tendencies, encourage them to call the suicide hotline.
- In America, anyone who needs help can text or call 988 to reach 988 Suicide and Crisis Helpline. The helpline is available 24×7. In addition to this, one can also use a file lifeline chat. The services offered by these helplines are free and confidential.
- US service members or veterans going through a crisis can call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Helpline and press 1 to reach Veteran Crisis Helpline. In addition, they can also chat on the Internet Or send a text message to 838255.
- The Suicide and Crisis Helpline also has a free Spanish language line at 1-888-628-9454.
Read more: The new 988 suicide hotline
[google-ad-in-article]conclusion:
If you think a family member or someone you know has suicidal tendencies, don’t take the threat lightly. Most people who eventually commit suicide have shown their intentions at one point or another. It is common to think that you are overreacting to a simple comment but always remember that the safety of your loved ones is the top priority.
With the increasing number of mental health issues among people, it is likely that someone around you will suffer at any time. That’s why you need to be equipped in the right way to deal with them and provide the right help. To learn more about mental health first aid, click over here.
To learn more about mental health every day, subscribe to Your mental health.
Discussion about this post