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World Suicide Prevention Day

By Randy Hecht | Posted September 10 2010

The World Health Organization (WHO), a United Nations affiliate, calls suicide “a major preventable cause of premature death.” The organization estimates that worldwide, 900,000 people commit suicide each year—“one death every 40 seconds.”

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In the United States, WHO data show that 32,559 people took their own lives in 2005. And many people don’t realize that in the US, male suicide occurs at significantly higher rates than female suicide in every age group. The total includes 25,848 boys and men versus 6,711 girls and women.

While suicide cannot be eradicated, it can be reduced dramatically. WHO’s 193 member countries have declared September 10 World Suicide Prevention Day to promote steps we can take to achieve that goal.

How can you protect your family? Jack Heath, CEO of the Inspire USA Foundation, advises parents to be aware of abrupt changes in behavior, particularly in a teen who goes through a difficult time and suddenly seem fine. That can be a sign that the teen has achieved a sense of “mistaken relief from having a plan in place.” Another concern he cites is “when someone suddenly starts giving away possessions.”

If you sense trouble, don’t wait for it to reach the crisis stage. Make sure your children “know that there are resources and supports available at a time when they’re not quite conscious of what it is they’re going through,” Heath says.

And as frightening as it is to consider, don’t discount warning signs in a child you believe is too young to attempt suicide. WHO data for the US show that 272 children ages 5-14 took their own lives in 2005. “One of the really important things to do is for people to get informed about these issues and have conversations with their children about it,” Heath says.

One resource for families is the Reach Out—We Can Help Us campaign, a teen suicide prevention campaign developed by the Inspire USA Foundation, the Ad Council, and the US Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. It’s based on an Australian program that has contributed to a 57% drop in youth suicide in that country.

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The Reach Out—We Can Help Us campaign features true stories from teens and young adults about getting though tough times, including mental health problems and suicide or self-harm, and offers advice on getting help. The National Council for Suicide Prevention offers another online resource, Take Five to Save Lives. For more information and support, visit the website of The International Association for Suicide Prevention, a WHO partner that publishes information in Spanish, French and Chinese as well as English.

  • Lisa C

    Having lost my young nephew to suicide, I applaud the Inspire USA Foundation for working to raise awareness of the warning signs. I anyone who is thinking about suicide or self-harm to look into resources the Reach Out-We Can Help campaign offers. If even one young life is saved as a result, then this post will have made the ultimate difference. Very impressive that the Australian program has contributed to a 57% drop in youth suicide in that country–hope more countries follow this inspiring example.

  • Natasha V.

    I’ve wanted to die since 3rd grade until 11th grade. But my family has always loved,suported & forgave me. I also had school staff that suported me too. I helped disabled kids,they also loved me. When I was 8 or 9 yrs. old I was misdiagnosed w/ things I don’t even remember. I was pretty new to America. I hated school & skipping school. I didn’t know how to tell people though (literally). My parents took me to the dr.’s. I just said I was sad. They put me on some meds. I had weird reactions. I was even sadder & scared. But that was when I started to feel like I wanted to die. I didn’t tell anyone,I didn’t want it to happen again. In middle school my dr.’s misdiagnosed me again. This time I was put on anti-depressants. I felt more depressed. My parents/teachers noticed. My parents tried telling the dr.’s but they didn’t believe them. I wasn’t addicted but my body almost relied on the meds if I was on it long enough. I would have bad reactions if I got off of them too fast. My parents kept trying though. I was always angry on the meds. I was suicidal. I always tried to cope w/ it. Every time I did something stupid like calling someone bad names or fought I appoligized everytime. I had so much guilt. The meds made me feel so angry & moody. I had so much love from my family,teachers & the kids I help w/. They were my suicide prevention. They stopped me from wanting to things like jumpping off big cliffs of buildings, shoot myself, stop eating & even hanging myself. I hung myself in my sleep when I was on 1 of the anti-depressants. I didn’t origionlly want to die by hanging myself but you can’t control what your doing in your sleep. Every other attempt though,was probably how I wanted to die. I wanted to make myself think about what I’ve done before the actual death. I didn’t want to let myself get away w/ that. I didn’t want to die the cheep way (quick). But w/ all the love from everyone I survived all of that. My family,teachers & kids I helpped taught me to realize what I deserve & what I don’t deserve. They taught me everything that’s worth living for. They keep me happy,peaceful,ballanced & willing to try when things get bad. These people are my life line,my heart,my blood & my air. I want anyone who feels bad to remember who loves you. What they have done for you. What you would do for them. Remember the laughs,hugs,kisses & the fun. You deserve to live.

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