National Suicide Prevention Week

The 44th Annual National Suicide Prevention Week is taking place this week, the week of 9-15 September.  National Suicide Prevention Week is set aside as a time to focus on the serious health challenge that suicide is and to promote awareness that suicide is a public health problem that is preventable. This year's theme is "Suicide Prevention Is Everyone’s Business."

In 2016, suicide was the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. In 2016, suicide became the second leading cause of death among those aged 10–34 and the fourth leading cause among those aged 35–54.

Suicidal behavior is complex. Some risk factors vary with age, gender, or ethnic group and may occur in combination or change over time.

Research shows that risk factors for suicide include:

• depression and other mental disorders, or a substance-abuse disorder (often in combination with other mental disorders),
• prior suicide attempt,
• family history of mental disorder or substance abuse,
• family history of suicide,
• family violence, including physical or sexual abuse,
• firearms in the home (the method used in more than half of suicides),
• incarceration,
• exposure to the suicidal behavior of others, such as family members, peers, or media figures.

However, suicide and suicidal behavior are not normal responses to stress; many people have these risk factors, but are not suicidal. Research also shows that the risk for suicide is associated with changes in brain chemicals called neurotransmitters, including serotonin. Decreased levels of serotonin have been found in people with depression, impulsive disorders, and a history of suicide attempts, and in the brains of suicide victims.

Resources:

U.S. Surgeon General/National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention: National Strategy for Suicide Prevention

National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention

American Association of Suicidology

Suicide Prevention Resource Center

American Association of Suicidology: National Suicide Prevention Week – September 9 – 15, 2018

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Connecticut Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Promotion Initiatives

Maine Suicide Prevention Program

Massachusetts Coalition for Suicide Prevention

New Hampshire State Suicide Prevention Council

Rhode Island Department of Health: Suicide

Rhode Island Youth Suicide Prevention Project

Vermont Suicide Prevention Center