Suicide Warning Signs

World Suicide Prevention Day--

There is now a day that is designated,

"World Suicide Prevention Day."

While the following data is the most accurate we have, we estimate the numbers to be higher

(stigma surrounding suicide leads to underreporting).

Suicide statistics (as of 2015):

*Each year approximately 44,000 Americans die by suicide

*For every suicide, 25 others ATTEMPT

*On average, there are 121 suicides per day

*Men die by suicide 3.5X more often than women

*The rate of suicide is highest in middle-aged white men

*Females attempt suicide 3X more often than males

*Firearms account for almost 50% of all suicides

*Suicide is the SECOND leading cause of death for ages 10-24

*Each day, an average of 3,470 suicide attempts are made by teens in grades 9-12

*More teenagers and young adults die from suicide than from cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke, pneumonia, influenza, and chronic lung disease...COMBINED

*Suicide rate for girls ages 15-19 doubled from 2007 to 2015

*Suicide rate for boys ages 15-19 increased by 30 percent from 2007-2015

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What are the warning signs of someone who is considering suicide?

How can we know what to look for?

In 2005, The American Association of Suicidology published an acronym of major warning signs.

The acronym: “IS PATH WARM?”

I -Ideation

S-Substance Abuse

P-Purposelessness

A-Anxiety

T-Trapped

H-Hopelessness

W-Withdrawal

A-Anger

R-Recklessness

M-Mood Changes

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If we see the signs listed above, do something--

talk to the person,

listen to them,

help them get to a higher level of care--

whatever that means in their situation.

(other blog entries that may be helpful to read are: "Depression in Teens" and "13 Reasons Why NOT!")

On this year's World Suicide Prevention Day, and EVERY day...

let's all be more aware of those around us who are hurting

emotionally and

relationally and

spiritually.

May we increase in our consciousness of signs they are showing

so that lives may perhaps be saved.