Suicide Prevention, Resources & Awareness

September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month – a very important time to help share information, destigmatize mental health struggles and instill hope in those who have been impacted by suicide.

One way MiraCare works toward suicide prevention is by participating and fundraising for the Chicagoland Out of the Darkness Walk, held on September 17, 2022 and hosted by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Common sayings are seen throughout the walk:

“Because You Matter”
“Stay”
“It’s Okay to Not Be Okay”
“#TogetherToFightSuicide”

There are certain risks factors for suicide, which have been retrieved from the National Alliance on Mental Health. Suicide is the 2^nd leading cause of death among people ages 10-14 and the 3^rd leading cause of death among people ages 15-24 in the U.S., with men 4x more likely to die by suicide. LGBTQ+ youth are nearly 4x more likely to attempt suicide than straight youth and transgender adults are nearly 9x more likely to attempt suicide than the general population. There are more statistics as well that further describe the experience of suicidal thoughts.

If you know someone who is in crisis and at risk for suicide, it is very important to know what resources to direct them to. A new crisis line became available this year for those experiencing a mental health crisis by calling or texting 988, or by chat on 988lifeline.org. Some warning signs to look out for include increased alcohol and drug use, aggressive behavior, withdrawal from others and suicidal behaviors. If someone is in immediate danger of hurting themselves, you can also contact emergency services through 911 or visit the NAMI HelpLine. You can find additional resources below for supporting those who are struggling, and if you’ve experienced a loss to suicide.

Written by:
Dr. Cynthia Rangel of MiraCare Group
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Board Certified in Neurofeedback