As September comes to a close,
so does Suicide Prevention Month
Suicide. No word by itself triggers more alarm, fear, and pain. The impact of suicide shakes families, schools, churches, and communities. Many feel helpless in the face of what seems like an ever-increasing number of suicides, but everyone has a role they can play in fighting this epidemic. Why? Because someone’s life might depend on it.
Overview
Suicide is a serious public health problem that can have long-lasting effects on individuals, families, and communities. The good news is that suicide is preventable. Preventing suicide requires strategies at all levels of society. This includes prevention and protective strategies for individuals, families, and communities. Everyone can help prevent suicide by learning the warning signs, promoting prevention and resilience, and committing to social change.
Leading cause of death
Suicide is death caused by injuring oneself with the intent to die. A suicide attempt is when someone harms themselves with any intent to end their life, but they do not die as a result of their actions.
Many factors can increase the risk for suicide or protect against it. Suicide is connected to other forms of injury and violence. For example, people who have experienced violence, including child abuse, bullying, or sexual violence have a higher suicide risk. Being connected to family and community support and having easy access to healthcare can decrease suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
Serious public health problem
Suicide rates increased approximately 36% between 2000–2022. Suicide was responsible for 49,476 deaths in 2022, which is about one death every 11 minutes. The number of people who think about or attempt suicide is even higher. In 2022, an estimated 13.2 million adults seriously thought about suicide, 3.8 million planned a suicide attempt, and 1.6 million attempted suicide.
Suicide affects people of all ages
In 2022, suicide was among the top 9 leading causes of death for people ages 10-64. Suicide was the second leading cause of death for people ages 10-14 and 25-34.
Suicidal behavior also has far-reaching impact.
There were 49,430 suicides among individuals ages 12 and older in 2022. But suicides are just the tip of the iceberg. For every suicide death*, there were about:
11 emergency department visits for self-harm**
52 self-reported suicide attempts in the past year***
336 people who seriously considered suicide in the past year***
Hope-focused Suicide Intervention
“He sets on high those who are lowly, And those who mourn are lifted to safety.” — Job 5:11, NKJV
Suicide is a devastating reality that affects individuals, families, and communities. Each year, millions of people wrestle with feelings of hopelessness, depression, and despair. For those who reach the point of contemplating suicide, life can feel unbearable. Yet, amid this darkness, there is hope. Through compassionate intervention and focusing on restoring hope, lives can be saved, and hearts can be healed.
At the core of suicide prevention is the belief that hope is a powerful antidote to despair. Hope-focused suicide intervention is built on the foundation that even in moments of profound pain, hope can be rekindled. This approach shifts the focus from simply preventing a tragic outcome to restoring the individual’s sense of purpose, meaning, and connection.
Suicidal thoughts often arise from feelings of isolation, overwhelming stress, or a loss of direction. Hope-focused intervention seeks to rebuild a person’s belief in a future worth living, whether through reconnecting with relationships, renewing faith, or discovering new sources of purpose.
The Role of Faith in Hope-focused Intervention
Hope-focused suicide intervention is not only about psychological and emotional restoration but also spiritual healing. Many who struggle with suicidal thoughts feel disconnected not only from others but also from their faith. By reminding individuals of God’s love and grace, we can offer them a renewed sense of hope that transcends their immediate circumstances.
Scriptures like Jeremiah 29:11, which speaks of God’s plans for a future filled with hope, or Psalm 34:18, which promises that God is close to the brokenhearted, can provide comfort during times of despair. Faith can be a powerful reminder that life has a purpose even in the darkest moments.
The Role of the Church
The Church plays a pivotal role in hope-focused suicide intervention. As a community of believers, the Church can be a place where individuals feel seen, cared for, and heard. Pastors, ministry leaders, and lay counselors are often on the front lines of recognizing signs of emotional and spiritual distress within their congregations. The Church can be a beacon of hope by proactively addressing mental health issues.
The Church can also provide essential resources for those struggling with suicidal thoughts. Hosting workshops or support groups focused on mental health awareness, offering counseling services, and partnering with local mental health professionals can create a safety net for individuals in crisis.
Hope-focused suicide intervention does not happen in isolation. Collaboration with a team of mental health professionals, including psychiatrists, therapists, and primary care providers, is essential. Equally important is the involvement of supportive communities—church groups, family members, or close friends. A network of care ensures that individuals have ongoing support as they walk the path toward recovery.
Ongoing Support Beyond the Crisis
Hope-focused suicide intervention does not end after the immediate crisis has passed. Continued support is crucial to sustaining hope and preventing future crises. Regular follow-up, counseling, and community involvement help individuals maintain their connection to hope and prevent them from slipping back into isolation or despair.
By helping restore hope, rebuilding relationships, and providing a path to healing, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those at risk. With a focus on love, compassion, and the renewal of hope, we can save lives and restore hope to those who need it most.
*CDC National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), National Vital Statistics System, Mortality 2018-2022 on CDC WONDER Online Database CDC WONDER
**CDC WISQARS (2022)
*** Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) https://www.samhsa.gov/data/report/2022-nsduh-detailed-tables
Resources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Suicide Prevention Resource for Action: A Compilation of the Best Available Evidence. Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2023). Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States: Results from the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/reports/rpt42731/2022-nsduh-nnr.pdf
National Vital Statistics System, Mortality 2018-2022 on CDC WONDER Online Database, released in 2024. Data are from the Multiple Cause of Death Files, 2018-2022, as compiled from data provided by the 57 vital statistics jurisdictions through the Vital Statistics Cooperative Program. Accessed at http://wonder.cdc.gov/mcd-icd10-expanded.html on April 23, 2024
American Association of Christian Counselors Newsletter, September 2024 Edition
Mabel Martinez-Almonte,
OTR/L, MA, MHC, NCC
If you or someone you know is in a crisis, get help immediately. You can text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
DISCLAIMER: The content on this blog is generated for entertainment or/and informative purposes, but not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or behavioral health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified mental health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition.