Written by DEI in collaboration with Brigid Milone, Public Relations & Events Coordinator, College of Science & Mathematics
Warning: This post discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is in crisis, seek help immediately. Call 911 or your local emergency number. If you are responding to someone in need, don’t leave the person alone until help arrives. The Wellness Center is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.: 856-256-4333. For an emergency on the Glassboro campus, call Rowan Public Safety at 856-256-4911.
September is suicide prevention awareness month. It is a time to be proactive and encourage dialogue about a crisis that many do not want to think about or discuss openly. Despite social stigmas, it is a time to promote awareness of suicidal behavior and educate ourselves on recognizing the warning signs for suicidal ideation.
By the Numbers
Bringing attention to suicide statistics is a powerful way to raise awareness. The numbers below demonstrate why suicide is a serious public health crisis deserving of our attention:
- Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States.
- Suicide is the second leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 10 and 34; and the fourth leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 35 and 44.
- In 2019, suicide claimed the lives of more than 47,500, which is the equivalent of about one death every 11 minutes.
- In 2019, 12 million American adults seriously thought about suicide, 3.5 million planned a suicide attempt, and 1.4 million attempted suicide.
- According to a 2019 survey, approximately one in five high school-aged youths (14-18 years) seriously considered attempting suicide, one in six made a suicide plan, one in 11 made an attempt, and one in 40 made a suicide attempt requiring medical treatment.
Risk Factors
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), mental health is a significant risk factor. Depression, a common condition associated with increased suicide risk, is often untreated. Other risk factors include a family history of suicide, substance abuse, a history of trauma or abuse, prolonged stress or health issues, and experiencing a recent tragedy or loss.
A 2019 survey of high school-aged youth concluded that relationships and community and societal factors likely contribute to the differences in suicide attempts among different racial and ethnic groups and sexual minority youths. The survey found that 46% of young people identifying as LGB and 30% identifying their sexual identity as “not sure” seriously considered suicide.
Poverty is another major risk factor of suicide among young people. A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics found that children between the ages of 5 and 19 were more likely to die by suicide if they were from communities where 20% or more lived below the federal poverty level.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, health professionals have expressed concern over the potential rise in mental health issues and suicide rates associated with isolation and economic insecurity. A recent study indicated that in high-income and upper-middle-income countries, suicide numbers remained essentially unchanged or declined in the early months of the pandemic. However, a deeper dive reveals that rates have increased in specific demographics. A study on Maryland residents revealed that from early March 2020 through early May 2020, suicide among white residents decreased 45%, while suicide rates in Black residents increased 94%. Further research is needed to better understand how the pandemic has impacted suicide rates among different racial/ethnic groups and income levels.
Warning Signs
It is not always possible to tell when someone is considering suicide, but many people display warning signs such as changes in behavior and attitude. Warning signs include:
- talking about feelings of hopelessness, having no reason to live, or being a burden to others
- collecting and saving pills or buying a weapon
- giving away possessions
- tying up loose ends, like organizing personal papers or paying off debts
- increased use of alcohol or drugs
- withdrawing and isolating
- saying goodbye to friends and family
Recognizing the signs can save a life. It may be challenging to know when to intervene, but seeking help is always the best choice.
Prevention
Suicide is preventable. If you know someone you suspect needs help, start assessing the situation by asking questions. Be sensitive but direct. Good questions include:
- How are you coping with what's been happening in your life?
- Do you ever feel like just giving up?
- Are you thinking about dying?
- Are you thinking about hurting yourself?
- Do you think about suicide?
- Have you ever thought about suicide or trying to harm yourself?
- Do you have access to weapons or things that can be used as weapons to harm yourself?9
For further reading on suicide prevention, the CDC policy on suicide prevention puts forth a comprehensive approach to suicide prevention that involves access to mental healthcare, the promotion of family and community connectedness, and education.
For Immediate Help
If you or someone you know is in crisis, seek help immediately. Call 911 or your local emergency number. If you are responding to someone in need, don’t leave the person alone until help arrives.
Support and Helplines
The Wellness Center, available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.: 856-256-4333. For an emergency on the Glassboro campus, call Rowan Public Safety at 856-256-4911.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, available 24/7: 800-273-8255
NJ Suicide Prevention Hopeline, available 24/7: 855-654-6735 or text “NJ” to 741741
The Trevor Project, available 24/7: 1-866-488-7386
National Alliance on Mental Illness Helpline, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or info@nami.org
Resources for continued learning:
Question, Persuade, Refer is an evidence-informed approach to suicide prevention. Participants in this 90 minute program learn to recognize signs of suicide in their students, classmates, friends, and family - and learn how to make a life-saving referral. Workshops are limited to 30 people in-person and 20 people virtually. The virtual option is only available to faculty and staff. During 2020, we trained over 500 people in QPR.
To inquire about a session, please email Allie Pearce at pearce@rowan.edu
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fast Facts 2021
Ivey-Stephenson AZ, Demissie Z, Crosby AE, et al. Suicidal Ideation and Behaviors Among High School Students — Youth Risk Behavior Survey, United States, 2019. MMWR Suppl 2020;69(Suppl-1):47–55. doi: 10.15585/mmwr.su6901a6.
Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, National Alliance on Mental Illness, National Alliance on Mental Illness, “Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, https://www.nami.org/get-involved/awareness-events/suicide-prevention-awareness-month.
AAP COUNCIL ON COMMUNITY PEDIATRICS. Poverty and Child Health in the United States. Pediatrics. 2016; 137(4):e20160339. doi: 10.1542/peds.2016-0339.
Pirkis J, John A, Shin S. Suicide trends in the early months of the covid-19 pandemic: an interrupted time-series analysis of preliminary data from 21 countries. Lancet Psychiatry 2021. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(21)00091-2.
Mortality Trends in Maryland During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic. JAMA Psychiatry. 2021;78(4):444–447. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2020.3938
Risk of Suicide, National Alliance on Mental Illness, https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Common-with-Mental-Illness/Risk-of-Suicide.
“Suicide: What to do when someone is suicidal,” Mayo Clinic, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/suicide/in-depth/suicide/art-20044707.
Stone DM, Holland KM, Bartholow B, Crosby AE, Davis S, Wilkins N. Preventing suicide: a technical package of policies, programs, and practices. Atlanta, GA: US Department of Health and Human Services, CDC, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control; 2017. https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/suicideTechnicalPackage.pdf