Suicide Prevention and Awareness

Written By CBTDenver

September is National Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the United States. In 2023, over 49,000 people died by suicide, and 1.5 million people attempted suicide. There is no single cause of suicide. In general, suicide most often occurs when stressors and health issues meet, creating a sense of hopelessness and despair.

Risk Factors

Depression is commonly connected to suicide, particularly when it is undiagnosed and untreated, or undertreated. Conditions like anxiety and substance use, also when unaddressed, increase the risk of suicide. General risk factors for suicide include:

  • Mental health conditions, including substance use disorders (particularly when untreated)

  • Serious physical health conditions

  • Traumatic brain injury

  • Access to lethal means (firearms, drugs)

  • Long-term exposure to high levels of stress, including stressful life events such as divorce or financial crisis

  • Discrimination

  • Exposure to suicide

  • Childhood abuse or trauma

  • Family history of suicide

  • Previous suicide attempts

Protective Factors

Protective factors reduce the likelihood of suicide and act as buffers against suicide. Protective factors include:

  • Access to mental health treatment/Participation in treatment

  • Feeling connected and supported by others

  • Using coping skills and problem-solving skills

  • Limited or no access to lethal means

  • Cultural or religious beliefs that foster a sense of connection, encourage help seeking, discourage suicidal behavior, or create a sense of purpose or meaning

  • Connection/responsibility to loved ones, such as children or family members

 

Warning Signs

A change in behavior or emergence of a new behavior can be a warning sign of potential suicide in someone who you are concerned may be at risk for suicide. Examples of behaviors are:

  • Talking about killing themselves

  • Feeling no sense of purpose or meaning

  • Having no reason to live

  • Thinking they are a burden to others

  • Feeling trapped

  • Expressing unbearable pain

  • Increased use of substances

  • Withdrawing/isolating

  • Sleeping too much or too little

  • Researching methods to kill oneself

  • Giving away possessions

People at risk for suicide may also exhibit certain moods and symptoms, such as

  • Depressed

  • Anxious

  • Loss of interest

  • Irritability

  • Agitation/Anger

  • Relief/Sudden improvement

 

If you are concerned that someone is at risk for suicide, it is important to:

  • Take them seriously and talk to them

  • Listen to them

  • Express that you care about them

  • Ask them directly if they are thinking about suicide

  • Encourage them to seek help/contact a medical provider

  • Avoid debating with them, giving advice, or minimizing their concerns

  • Stay with the person and call or text 988 for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Line

  • Or text TALK to 741741 to text with a trained counselor from the Crisis Text Line for free, 24/7

  • Go with the person to mental health services or the nearest emergency room

 

This guide from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) provides tips for helpful ways to respond if someone expresses they are thinking about suicide.

 

If you are having thoughts of suicide, please reach out/tell your therapist or mental health provider about your suicidal thoughts so they can do their best to help. Please also call or text 988 or text TALK to 741741.

 

Please contact us at CBT Denver to learn more about effective coping skills and suicide resources.

CBTDenver
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