Teal and purple ribbon awareness Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Suicide, Surviving Family Members of Suicide. Isolated on white background. Vector illustration.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is designating September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month to raise awareness and educate the public about this often difficult topic.

Suicidal thoughts can affect anyone, and are often the result of an untreated mental health condition. The facts are sobering. These come from the NAMI website, and have been provided by the CDC and National Institute of Mental Health:

1. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among people aged 10-14, and the third leading cause of death among 15-24 year olds.

2. Suicide is the twelfth leading cause of death overall in the United States.

3. The highest rates of suicide in the U.S. are among American Indian/Alaska Natives, and then non-Hispanic whites.

4. 46 percent of people who die by suicide had a diagnosed mental health condition, but research shows that 90 percent may have experienced symptoms of a mental health condition.

Some risk factors that indicate a person might be at higher risk for suicide are outlined by Dr. Paul Daniel, Executive Director at Center Associates here in Marshalltown.

“They might include prior suicide attempts, history of mood disorders, and alcohol or other form of substance abuse,” Daniel said.

He also listed family history of suicide, loss of parents or loved ones, trauma, abuse, and neglect in a person’s life that may contribute to a heightened risk. Social isolation, barriers to accessing health care and problems tied to sexual identity and other personal relationships can cause the person to begin considering suicide.

Warning signs are indicators that a person is at immediate risk of suicide, and might include changes in appetite, isolation and withdrawal from friends and family, giving away sentimental possessions, and phrases or statements that express a sense of hopelessness, guilt, shame, burden to others, and worthlessness.

“A big red flag is when someone who has been depressed/down/moody suddenly becomes calm and no longer is in a state of exasperation,” Abby Shannon, a Canine Assisted Intervention Specialist at Center Associates, said. “This can be a sign that the individual may have finally decided they have a ‘plan’ to end their life, and they are feeling at ease now and no longer conflicted with their mind.”

Shannon emphasized the importance that if you are with someone that shows some of these warning signs, you should never leave them alone.

“Be calm and ask if the individual has considered harming themselves. Ask if they are feeling suicidal; offer to make a phone call for them to their therapist, psychiatrist, or crisis line. If a person says they want to harm themselves, there are a few options,” she said. “If the individual is willing to get help, you can offer to give them a ride to the local emergency room where they will be evaluated. If they don’t feel safe being in a car, emergency services can be called to help transport the individual. If you believe someone is at risk of harming themselves but you are not physically with them, call the emergency services line and ask for a wellness check on them. Provide emergency personnel with the address where the individual is located so they can visit them to assess the situation.”

NAMI is highlighting the “Together for Mental Health” campaign this month, advocating for better mental health care and an effective crisis response system. Part of this response system is now in place nationwide as 988, a new number to contact for mental health, substance use, and suicide crisis line. People can call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org to find support during a crisis at any time, no matter where they live.

Shannon also shared a few other suicide and crisis services that are locally available for phone/text/outreach including Mobile Crisis through CICS at 1-855-581-8111 or Foundation II at 319-362-2174.

Individuals are always welcome to contact Center Associates if they need to find help as well by calling 641-752-1585. If it is after hours, the Center Associates line rolls over to the Foundation II crisis line where a trained crisis counselor can assist them.