A suicide can impact a family and community in significant ways. It is such a tragic response to the stressors of life, and it leaves those who are affected with a sense of emptiness. The questions abound about the whys and what’s, and how we could have done something to bring a better solution to the individual. Yet, the finality of it leaves those who are impacted feeling quite helpless.
Since the month of September is a month where we strive to take steps to prevent deaths by suicide, it may be helpful to clarify where in our culture most suicides occur. Here are some facts from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
Individual Impact
- 79% of all people who die by suicide are male.
- Although more women than men attempt suicide, men are 4x more likely to die by suicide.
- Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10-14, the 3rd leading cause of death among those aged 15-24, and the 12th leading cause of death overall in the U.S.
- 46% of people who die by suicide had a diagnosed mental health condition — but research suggests that 90% may have experienced symptoms of a mental health condition.
Community Impact
Annual prevalence of serious thoughts of suicide, by U.S. demographic group:
- U.S. Adults: 4.8%
- Native Hawaiian/other Pacific Islander: 7.4%
- Mixed/Multiracial: 8.2%
- American Indian/Alaska Native: 8.5%
- Young adults aged 18-25: 13%
- High school students: 22%
- LGBTQ youth: 41%
The highest rates of suicide in the U.S. are among American Indian/Alaskan Natives, followed by non-Hispanic white people.
Lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth are 4x more likely to attempt suicide than straight youth.
Transgender adults are nearly 9x more likely to attempt suicide at some point in their life compared to their peers.
Suicide is the leading cause of death for people held in local jails.
We could make commentary on each category mentioned above. However, it is most important to place these individuals and their situations on our radar as a heightened risk of suicide. Lakeside is focused on students, many of whom have had mental health struggles. We are doing all we can in the context of our mission to help our students find healthy ways to deal with their stressors. Yet there is so much more all of us can do as we encounter those around us who are in the identified populations as mentioned above.
There are ways we can help individuals to prevent suicide. If you know someone who is having a mental health crisis, you can call or text 988 immediately. You can also chat with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The most effective tool is to engage someone you are concerned about with conversation about their struggles and offer them some options other than ending their life, which will provide hope and help to their life circumstances. Preventing suicide is dependent on meaningful and healthy relationships that can provide individuals with a friend who cares enough to be in their lives purposefully. I think that is the best answer for those who may feel so isolated and hopeless. Your presence could make the difference between life and death.
Gerry Vassar
President/CEO
