Preventing Suicide

It is a common belief that suicide rates are highest during the holiday season, but that is actually a myth, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

The highest suicide rates happen during the spring and summer seasons. But why wait until someone is on the verge of harming themselves before something is done?

We can take advantage of the holiday season as it provides the perfect backdrop to reach out to someone who may need help and prevent another suicide statistic.

What can we do to prevent suicide?

• Start a conversation
• Provide support
• Direct help to those who need it.
• Reduce access to means of self-harm
• Follow up with loved ones
• Intervene by social connection thru the workplace, religious communities, school, colleges
• Foster social connectedness as a prevention strategy,
• Educate friends and family members about the risk factors and warning signs for suicide and how to respond appropriately.
• Train gatekeepers (people who interact with individuals and groups who may be at risk for suicide) to recognize and respond to suicide risk.
• Establish suicide screening and referral programs in settings such as schools, primary care offices, or programs serving high-risk populations.

Know the Risk Factors for Suicide

1. Mental disorders, particularly mood disorders, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, and certain personality disorders
2. Alcohol and other substance use disorders
3. Hopelessness
4. Impulsive and/or aggressive tendencies
5. History of trauma or abuse
6. Major physical illnesses
7. Previous suicide attempt(s)
8. Family history of suicide
9. Job or financial loss
10. Loss of relationship(s)
11. Easy access to lethal means
12. Local clusters of suicide
13. Lack of social support and sense of isolation
14. The stigma associated with asking for help
15. Lack of healthcare, especially mental health and substance abuse treatment
16. Cultural and religious beliefs, such as the belief that suicide is a noble resolution of a personal dilemma
17. Exposure to others who have died by suicide (in real life or via the media and Internet)

Know the Warning Signs of Suicide.

The first three may indicate an immediate risk and should prompt anyone to immediately call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or the other lifelines listed below or call a mental health professional or bring to an emergency room.

1. Talking about wanting to die or to kill themselves
2. Looking for a way to kill themselves, like searching online or buying a gun
3. Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
4. Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
5. Talking about being a burden to others
6. Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
7. Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly
8. Sleeping too little or too much
9. Withdrawing or isolating themselves
10. Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
11. Extreme mood swings

Nothing is more devastating than knowing that someone died and it could have been prevented if only we knew. Share the joy of the Holiday Season with someone who may need it the most.

Feel free to share.

Suicide Lifelines

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline    1-800-273-8255

Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio    1-888-628-9454

Veterans Crisis Line                                 1-800-273-8255

Options For Deaf + Hard of Hearing    1-800-799-4889

Manila Lifeline Centre
Hotline:                                                        (02) 8969191

Hotline: Mobile phone:                             0917 854 9191

Philippines National Center for Mental Health crisis hotline is open 24/7

                                                                       0917-899-USAP (8727)
                                                                       0917-989-8727

More information for schools, colleges, faith communities, and ethnic groups are contained in the following resources.

Additional Resources in PDF:

• YOUTH SUICIDE PREVENTION REFERRAL AND TRACKING TOOLKIT
• Effective Suicide Prevention: Getting Started – Contains a video for a comprehensive suicide prevention program

Resources for Physicians:

• Zero Suicide toolkit: Identify and assess patients for suicide risk
  Suicide Risk Assessment Standards PDF

Physical Activity is effective in relieving depression

1. Make that Game Winning Shot that at the Buzzer!
2. The Benefits of Resistance Training
3. The Surprising Benefits of Sweating
4. The Good and Faithful Servant
5. Effect of Short Term Exercise on Mortality
6. What are Exerkines?
7. Exercise Guidelines
8. Why do You Need an Excellent Performance Status?
9. Myokines: An Introduction 
10. What are Exerkines?
11. How the Body Saved Itself
12. How Does Exercise Burn Visceral Fat? – cartoon video
13. Exercise and Neurogenesis
14. How can exercise and low carb diet burn fat? – a doodle video

References

• Holiday Suicides: Fact or Myth?
• Suicide Rate is Lower During Holidays, But Holiday-Suicide Myth Persists
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
• Suicide Prevention Resource Center

Photo Credits:

• Man in the railroad tracks Photo by Gabriel on Unsplash
• Sad Girl Photo by Anthony Tran on Unsplash

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DrJesseSantiano.com does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment