Suicide prevention is something we can all have a hand in. Crestview Recovery wants to raise awareness of World Suicide Prevention Day, especially as suicide often ties into problems with substance use or mental health issues. Too many people end up taking their own life. The World Health Organization (WHO) puts the estimates at one life lost every 40 seconds. It’s the leading cause of death among people between the ages of 15 to 29. Those numbers don’t include the unsuccessful attempts by those who are in pain.
World Suicide Day Importance
Chances are that you or someone you know has lost a friend or family member to suicide. World Suicide Prevention Day represents an opportunity to reflect on those lives lost and gain a new appreciation for the value of life. We want people to see that there is hope for them, regardless of how bad things might seem at the moment.
Raising awareness about suicidal behaviors gives us more opportunities to reach people and prevent it from happening. Don’t be afraid to contact a local suicide hotline if a loved one comes to you and confides that they’ve had suicidal thoughts. You may also see a social media post that gives you cause for concern.
World Suicide Prevention Day is also a reminder about the need for continuing advocacy in helping people suffering from mental health disorders. It’s important they get help before they feel compelled to take their lives. With a depression treatment program, it’s possible to keep someone from taking such a drastic step because of their illness.
Making Connections
You don’t have to wait until World Suicide Prevention Day to make a difference. Think about the people in your life. Even if they have expressed no thoughts of self-harm, it never hurts to reach out and ask them how they are doing. Making that effort could be a difference-maker for someone who’s looking for a sign that someone cares about their well-being.
Staying in contact with loved ones and letting them know about residential treatment programs for mental health also puts you in a position to spot signs of trouble. Intervening before things get to the point of no control allows us to act in time and get someone the help needed to help them find a reason to go on living.
Talk About the Issues
Another way people can make a difference in the run-up to World Suicide Prevention day is talking about suicide. For many, it’s a taboo subject that makes them feel uncomfortable. Tacking that discomfort can lead to breakthroughs for others in understanding the factors that drive people to contemplate suicide.
You should think about hosting a panel in your community dedicated to discussions about suicide. That can encourage others in the area to turn out and express how the issue affected their lives. Removing the stigma of discussing suicide can prepare others to intervene when they see someone in trouble.
Look For Resources
Do what you can to make resources for understanding suicide and preventing it from happening available to others. You can look online, call local medical facilities, or reach out to an organization dedicated to the prevention of suicide. They can guide you in providing people with the most accurate information available to promote understanding and awareness of suicide.
That knowledge represents a source of power for helping people who may contemplate taking their life. The awareness brought about by World Suicide Prevention Day can be key in helping people realize they are not alone in their struggles.
Help People Who Struggle
Crestview Recovery provides a haven for people who may think about suicide because of ongoing substance use or mental health disorders. We hope that those reached during World Suicide Prevention Day get the strength needed to continue living.
Find out more about the services offered at Crestview Recovery by calling 866.262.0531.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
