Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. During 2018, out of 1.4 million suicide attempts, 48,344 people throughout the country died by suicide. Those statistics further reveal that there are, on average, 132 deaths from suicide daily. This tragic epidemic can, however, be prevented with the right depression treatment programs.
Suicide prevention involves knowing the warning signs of suicide and helping individuals access professional care. In this guide, we’ll take a look at the importance of suicide prevention, what ACT stands for, and the inception of World Suicide Prevention Day.
If you or someone you love is struggling with suicidal thoughts, reach out to a treatment center near you today by calling 951.400.0082 for help.
Understanding the Warning Signs for Suicide Prevention
Suicide prevention starts by understanding the warning signs of suicidal thoughts. If you notice any of the following in a loved one, reach out for help:
- Comments or threats about wanting to or going through with a suicide attempt
- Withdrawing socially from community, family, and friends
- Increasing their use of alcohol, drugs, or both
- Dramatic or unusual mood swings
- Presenting aggressive behavior
- Talking, thinking, or writing about death, dying, or suicide
- Participating in unusually risky or impulsive behaviors
Help isn’t limited to depression treatment, when substance abuse is also present the dual diagnosis treatment center provides relief from both conditions. Find a treatment center for an individualized treatment plan today.
What Is ACT?
When learning about suicide prevention, you might see the acronym “ACT.” ACT stands for Acknowledge, Care, and Tell. Each letter of this acronym stands for various phases of helping to prevent suicide.
If you see yourself or someone else displaying the signs of depression or suicide, this is the acknowledge phase. Showing your loved one that you’re worried about them and want to offer support is the care phase. The tell phase involves talking to someone you trust about what’s happening with yourself or a loved one.
The ACT message is an excellent way of opening up a dialogue with teens about suicide awareness and prevention. Here are some talking points to consider:
- Use open-ended questions: Avoid “yes or no” questions to help keep the conversation rolling. Asking these questions helps your loved one control how they want the conversation to go.
- Avoid rushing to be a problem-solver: We all want to help solve our children’s problems, but that isn’t productive during this conversation. Instead, ask your child questions about ways they think the situation could change.
- Make yourself accessible: If your child doesn’t know they can reach out to you at any time, then that causes problems. Tell them that you’re available to talk to them whenever they need you.
- Go for a walk to talk: Kids tend to open up more easily when they’re in a relaxed and inviting atmosphere. Going for a walk to have a conversation is a comfortable way of achieving this goal.
The Inception of World Suicide Prevention Day
Annually, the International Association for Suicide Prevention, or IASP, sponsors World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10th. This initiative helps people worldwide raise awareness about suicide and its prevention. The first World Suicide Prevention Day was held on September 10, 2003, to raise awareness about fatal and non-fatal suicide attempts.
Many events and activities take place on World Suicide Prevention Day, including:
- Launching government initiatives focusing on suicide prevention
- Conferences, educational seminars, open houses, and public lectures
- Media programs that promote suicide prevention and awareness
- Candlelight ceremonies or memorial services in remembrance of those who died from suicide
- Spiritual or cultural events, exhibitions, or fairs
- Publications launching about suicide prevention and awareness
Suicide prevention awareness isn’t limited to a single day. Find a way to spread awareness during National Suicide Prevention Week this month.
Learn More About Suicide Prevention from Wellness Counseling Vida Entera
Talking to a friend or loved one about suicide prevention and awareness is challenging for some. That conversation could lead to questions or topics you don’t feel comfortable discussing. No one should have to navigate through those uncertain waters without the best support.
Take part in our services to reduce symptoms of mental health disorders with the following programs:
- Depression treatment program
- Anxiety treatment program
- Intensive outpatient program
- Substance abuse treatment
Contact Wellness Counseling Vida Entera at 951.400.0082 to learn about how we can help and the services we offer.
