By Liz Ferrell, Development & Community Relations Specialist
Call 988! Call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 (para ayuda en español, llame al 988). The Lifeline provides 24-hour, confidential support to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Call 911 in life-threatening situations. If you are worried about a friend’s social media updates, you can contact safety teams at the social media company . They have processes to reach out to connect the person with the help they need.
Suicide seems like the ultimate tragedy. Learning of a person’s death by suicide brings a chill to the most casual of acquaintances. For close family and friends, no loss brings more trauma, guilt and grief than that of a loved one who actively brought about their own death. The weight of emotions for those left behind seems unbearable, in part because in the aftermath it feels so unresolvable.
According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, “Suicide is an urgent and growing public health crisis. More than 49,000 people in the United States died by suicide in 2022. That’s one death every 11 minutes.” In Tennessee, the most recent available numbers, for 2021, reflect 17.5 suicides for every 100,000 people – fully 25 percent higher than the 2021 national rate of 14 suicides per 100,000 people.
So how can we help those who are in so much emotional pain? At HOPE we value providing education for our patients but also for the general public. We want to help address some common misconceptions people might have about mental illness and those who struggle with it. And we want you to learn – before a crisis hits – what risk factors exist, what warning signs to recognize, and what to do when you or someone you know is contemplating self-harm.
"Society often perceives people struggling with depression as being weak or broken, when in reality they are just sick and want to feel better,” observed Lauren White-May, a Behavioral Health Therapist at HOPE. “They don't want to die; they just don't want to feel empty anymore. We need to remember that it takes much more courage to reach out to others when struggling with mental health challenges than it does to stay silent."
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness month, and members of HOPE Family Health’s Behavioral Health team are reaching out. While the topics of mental illness and especially suicide make many people uncomfortable, it is important that those who need help feel supported in their desire to seek that help.
Earlier this month HOPE participated in “Break the Silence” an annual event sponsored by Gallatin-based Volunteer State Community College to educate the public about suicide prevention. (Pictured manning the HOPE table at Vol State's "Break the Silence" event are McKenzie Owens, a clinical pharmacist at HOPE who works closely with our Behavioral Health providers and patients to oversee their medications, and Teresa Shaffer, HOPE's Behavioral Health Support Specialist.)
This Wednesday, September 25, both the HOPE Westmoreland and HOPE Gallatin locations will make educational materials about suicide prevention available to the public.
We are also providing helpful information for anyone visiting HOPE’s website and social media pages.
"By speaking openly about suicide, we break the silence and help reduce the stigma, offering hope to those struggling in the shadows,” said Tyler Norris, a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner at HOPE. “We want to help you find hope, healing, and the strength to carry on your journey."
Common Risk Factors for Suicide
Depression, other mental disorders, or substance abuse disorder
A family history of a mental disorder or substance use
Chronic pain
Personal history of suicide attempts
Family history of suicide
Exposure to family violence, including physical or sexual abuse
Presence of guns or other firearms in the home
Having recently been released from prison or jail
Financial stress and/ or job loss
Social Isolation
Bullying
Impulsive or aggressive tendencies
Sense of hopelessness
Lack of access to healthcare
Discrimination
Suicide By the Numbers
Gender: The suicide rate for males in Tennessee was 28.7 deaths per 100,000 males compared to the much lower rate of 6.7 deaths per 100,000 females. The rate for males is higher, because males tend to use more lethal means of completing suicide.
Age: Suicide is most prevalent for adults ages 25-44, followed closely by adults ages 45-64 and seniors age 65 and over. While children and young adults ages 10-24 have a much lower rate of suicide than other age groups, the suicide rate for this group showed an alarming increase from 2017 to 2021.
Race: In the U.S. White people commit suicide at more than twice the rate of Black people and nearly three times that of other racial groups. In Tennessee, the rate of suicide for White people in 2021 was 19.9 deaths per 100,000, while the rate was 9.5 deaths per 100,000for Black people and 5.4 deaths per 100,000 for other races. However, both Black and White races saw slight increases over a five-year period from 2017 to 2021.
Common Feelings, Thoughts and Behaviors During a Mental Health Crisis
Unable to stop the pain
Unable to think clearly
Unable to make decisions
Unable to see any way out
Unable to sleep, eat or work
Unable to get out of the depression
Unable to make the sadness go away
Unable to see the possibility of change
Unable to see themselves as worthwhile
Unable to get someone’s attention
Unable to seem to get control
Common Warning Signs That Someone May Be Experiencing Mental Health Crisis
Talking about suicide, death, and/or no reason to live
Preoccupation with death and dying
Withdrawal from friends and/or social activities
Experience of a recent severe loss (especially a relationship) or the threat of a significant loss
Recent experience or threat of an experience of humiliation or failure
Drastic changes in behavior – including suddenly appearing happier and more carefree than usual
Loss of interest in hobbies, work, school, etc.
Preparation for death by making out a will (unexpectedly) and final arrangements
Giving away prized possessions
Previous history of suicide attempts, as well as violence and/or hostility
Taking unnecessary risks; reckless and/or impulsive behavior
Loss of interest in personal appearance
Increased use of alcohol and/or drugs
Unwillingness to connect with potential helpers
General hopelessness
Who Can You Talk To?
A community mental health agency
A private therapist
A school counselor or psychologist
A family physician
A suicide prevention/crisis intervention center
A religious/spiritual leader
Remember:
If you are experiencing a mental health emergency call 988.
Know the warning signs – for yourself or for someone you love.
HOPE can help! Our Behavioral Health Department sees patients at HOPE Westmoreland and at HOPE Gallatin. We offer counseling with a licensed therapist, medication management by a psychiatric nurse practitioner, coordination of your treatment plan with a clinical pharmacist who works specifically with behavioral health patients, and an individualized integrated health care plan with other HOPE services. For an appointment call 615-644-0479 or 615-644-0482.
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