Every year, the Lifeline and other mental health organizations, and individuals across the U.S. and around the world, raise awareness of suicide prevention during September, National Suicide Prevention Month.
While suicide prevention is important to address year-round, Suicide Prevention Awareness Month provides a dedicated time for people, organizations, and communities to join their voices to broadcast the message that suicide can be prevented, and healing is possible.
Nearly 46,000 people in the United States died by suicide in 2020. According to the CDC, that is about one death every 11 minutes. Tragically, over 700,000 people die due to suicide every year. And the number of deaths doesn’t take into account failed attempts. For every suicide, there are likely 20 other people making an attempt, and many more having serious thoughts of suicide. According to the CDC, In 2020, there were an estimated 1.2 million adult suicide attempts, 3.2 million adults made a plan to attempt, and 12.2 million adults seriously thought about suicide. Suicide rates in 2020 were 30% higher than in 2000.
In 2019, I could have been a statistic. My story could have ended with my car wrapped around a tree. My depression tried to kill me. My brain wanted the pain and struggle to end, but driving my car 90mph into a tree was not the solution. I fight every single day to stay alive. You are not alone in your fight. Please, if you are in crisis, reach out and ask for help! There are so many resources that can do just that!
Mental health crisis services are available 24/7 for all adults and children across Minnesota. If you’re in crisis, help is available and there are options to help you cope. Support is available if you or someone you know is thinking of suicide.
http://988lifeline.org – Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
afsp.org – American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
nimh.nih.gov – National Institute of Mental Health
Stay happy, healthy, and safe! ~Sally~