September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Mental health advocates, prevention organizations, survivors, allies and community members will unite all month to promote suicide prevention awareness. To support this critical awareness month, the Montgomery County Youth Service Bureau will again participate in a suicide prevention awareness campaign in September.
In a world where even one youth suicide is too many, the statistics are staggering. Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in Indiana; it is the second leading cause of death for ages 10-34; Indiana’s rate of death by suicide is higher than the national average; on average one person dies by suicide every eight hours in the state; and almost five times as many people died by suicide in Indiana in 2018 than in alcohol-related motor vehicle accidents. (All statistics from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.)
For the fourth year, Duke Energy, through its foundation, is partnering with the YSB to bring critical public awareness to county residents. The YSB will again offer community members yard signs to spread awareness, offer free written materials and provide awareness materials to every middle and high school student in the county, along with an individual item for each student.
“Our youth are the ones who created this concept,” said Sara Clapp from the YSB. “The youth in Inspire as well as Youth as Resources, recognized the importance of coming together for a worthwhile cause. Many of these youth have been impacted by suicide in some way in their own lives. These youth are trying to make a difference and make sure that other youth know they can talk to somebody when they are feeling hopeless. This campaign is not only to raise awareness, but also to provide support and encouragement for those youth who are struggling. By engaging the community this campaign creates awareness and an opening for youth to talk about how they are feeling.”
Clapp said we all can be a part of the solution by increasing our knowledge and reaching out to others who seem to be struggling. Be aware there are some warning signs to pay attention to. The National Suicide Prevention Line lists these as warning signs:
• Talking about wanting to die or to kill themselves.
• Looking for a way to kill themselves, such as searching online or buying a gun
• Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live.
• Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain.
• Talking about being a burden to others.
• Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs.
• Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly.
• Sleeping too little or too much.
• Withdrawing or isolating themselves.
• Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge.
• Displaying extreme mood swings.
We need to increase the protective factors that help prevent suicide as well. It is a proactive approach that can have tremendous positive impact. SAMSHA gives us this list of protective factors:
• Effective clinical care for mental, physical and substance use disorders
• Easy access to a variety of clinical interventions
• Restricted access to highly lethal means of suicide
• Strong connections to family and community support
• Support through ongoing medical and mental health care relationships
• Skills in problem solving, conflict resolution and handling problems in a non-violent way (resiliency)
• Cultural and religious beliefs that discourage suicide and support self-preservation
During this pandemic, more people have felt isolated and frustrated and this can contribute to feelings of hopelessness or being out of control, Clapp said.
“If someone is talking about hurting themselves, we cannot just assume they are ‘attention seeking’ as they are often labeled,” she aid. “We need to understand that kind of statement is in fact a cry for help and we need to answer the cry with caring, compassion, support and intervention.”
To receive a yard sign to show your support for suicide prevention, call and reserve one by contacting Clapp at 765-362-0694, ext. 102, or email sara@mcysb.org. If you have a yard sign from last year, the YSB asks that you put it out for the month of September to support the community awareness.
