Suicide Prevention

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1.6 million Americans attempted suicide in 2022, resulting in 49,476 deaths. That’s 1 death every 11 minutes. The number of people who think about or attempt suicide is even higher. Poisoning, including drug and nondrug poisoning, is the third leading means of suicide death. However, by raising awareness, reducing the stigma around suicide and encouraging well-informed action, we can reduce the instances of suicide.

Sometimes suicide can seem sudden, but in many cases, there are signs and symptoms that someone is considering it. The signs may appear in conversations and through their actions or mood. Knowing the warning signs for suicide and how to get help can help save lives. Signs that someone is thinking about suicide may include:

Talking about

• Wanting to die
• Great guilt or shame
• Being a burden to others

Feeling

• Unbearable emotional or physical pain
• Empty, hopeless, trapped or having no reason to live
• Extremely sad, more anxious, agitated or full of rage
• Feeling like they are a burden to others

Changes in behavior or mood

• Planning or researching ways to kill themselves, such as searching for lethal methods online, stockpiling pills or buying a gun
• Withdrawing from family, friends or community
• Saying goodbye to friends and family
• Giving away prized possessions
• Putting affairs together, such as making a will
• Taking dangerous risks that could lead to death, such as driving extremely fast
• Increased alcohol or drug use
• Changes in eating or sleeping patterns

If these warning signs apply to you or someone you know, get help as soon as possible, particularly if the behavior is new, has increased or seems related to a painful event, loss or change. Contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. Trained counselors are available 24/7/365.

1. Ask: Asking the question, "Are you thinking about suicide?" communicates that you’re open to speaking about suicide in a nonjudgmental and supportive way. Listen carefully and learn what the individual is thinking and feeling.
2. Be there: This could mean being physically present, speaking with them on the phone or any other way that shows support for the person at risk. Being there for someone with thoughts of suicide is lifesaving.
3. Keep them safe: Reducing a suicidal person’s access to lethal items or places is an important part of suicide prevention. While this is not always easy, asking if the at-risk person has a plan and removing or disabling the lethal means can make a difference.
4. Help them connect: Connecting them with ongoing support such as the 988 Lifeline and resources in their community can help establish a safety net for those moments they find themselves in a crisis. Save the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline number (call or text 988) in your phone so it’s available if you need it.
5. Follow up: Staying in touch after a crisis or after being discharged from care can make a difference.

Below are strategies that can help save lives.

• Call the Lifeline at 988 if you’re experiencing:
• Thoughts of suicide
• Mental health or substance use crisis
• Any kind of emotional distress
• Keep prescription and over-the-counter medicines locked in a safe place.
• Know what medicines you have and how much you have of each.
• Limit the amount of pills someone has access to in the home.
• Discuss medicine safety with teens who self-administer medication.
• Dispose of expired or unused medicine at take-back events, pharmacies and local police stations. Find a location near you.
• Store alcohol and other potential poisons in locked cabinets.
• Call the Poison Help Line at 800-222-1222 if you suspect self-harm by poisoning.