Suicide Prevention

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Suicide is one of the leading causes of preventable death. While there is not one specific reason people commit suicide, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) reports that suicide “most often occurs when stressors exceed the current coping capacity of someone suffering from a mental health condition.” When people think of mental health disorders, they typically think of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or other similar disorders. A mental health condition can also be common, yet serious conditions like depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and addiction.

Suicide Statistics from AFSP

In America, there are 117 suicides per day on average.
Suicide by firearm accounts for nearly half of all reported suicides.
For every one suicide, there are 25 more suicide attempts by others.

Warning Signs of Suicide

If you are concerned about your own mental health or that of a friend or family member, it’s important to recognize the warning signs of suicide and seek help:

Acting depressed, uninterested, enraged, or irritable
Increased use of alcohol or drugs
Engaging in risky, reckless behavior
Withdrawing from activity or becoming isolated
Sleeping too much or too little
Prolonged stress, such as relationship issues, bullying, or unemployment

Take Action

The underlying source of the suicidal thoughts – whether depression, bipolar disorder, addiction, or another mental health issue – can be treated with medication and/or therapy. Help is available and we encourage you to seek help. Your Capital Women’s Care provider can provide referrals to mental health professionals to assist in your recovery.