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Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the US

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The suicide rate for ages 15-19 from 2007-2017 increased 76%

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In 2018, 48,344 people died by suicide and there were an estimated 1.4 million attempts

​Signs and Symptoms of Suicide

The behaviors listed below may be signs that someone is thinking about suicide:

  • Talking about wanting to die or wanting to kill themselves

  • Talking about feeling empty, hopeless, or having no reason to live

  • Making a plan or looking for a way to kill themselves, such as searching for lethal methods online, stockpiling pills, or buying a gun

  • Talking about great guilt or shame

  • Talking about feeling trapped or feeling that there are no solutions

  • Feeling unbearable pain (emotional pain or physical pain)

  • Talking about being a burden to others

  • Using alcohol or drugs more often

  • Acting anxious or agitated

  • Withdrawing from family and friends

  • Changing eating and/or sleeping habits

  • Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge

  • Taking great risks that could lead to death, such as driving extremely fast

  • Talking or thinking about death often

  • Displaying extreme mood swings, suddenly changing from very sad to very calm or happy

  • Giving away important possessions

  • Saying goodbye to friends and family

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What are the warning signs that a teen might be suicidal?

  • Talking or writing about suicide — for example, making statements such as "I'm going to kill myself," or "I won't be a problem for you much longer"

  • Withdrawing from social contact (isolation)

  • Having mood swings

  • Increasing use of alcohol or drugs

  • Feeling trapped or hopeless about a situation

  • Changing normal routine, including eating or sleeping patterns

  • Doing risky or self-destructive things

  • Giving away belongings when there is no other logical explanation for why this is being done

  • Developing personality changes or being severely anxious or agitated when experiencing some of the warning signs listed above

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Suicidal thoughts and behaviors vary by race and ethnicity among youth. AI/AN, Asian, Native Hawaiian, and other Pacific Islander high school youth have the highest percentages of past-year serious thoughts of suicide and past-year suicide plans when compared to other races and ethnicities. Among those races and ethnicities where estimates can be reliably obtained, Black high school youth appear to have a slightly higher percentage of past-year suicide attempts and past-year attempts requiring medical treatment

 

How Do I Get Help?

When life doesn't seem worth living anymore, it may seem that the only way to find relief is through suicide. When you're feeling this way, it may be hard to believe, but you do have other options.

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Take a step back and separate your emotions from your actions for the moment.

  • Recognize that depression and hopelessness can distort your perceptions and reduce your ability to make good decisions.

  • Realize that suicidal feelings are the result of treatable problems.

  • Act as if there are other options instead of suicide, even if you may not see them right now.

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It may not be easy, and you might not feel better overnight. Eventually, though, the sense of hopelessness — and thoughts of suicide — will lift.

Get immediate help

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If you think you may hurt yourself or attempt suicide, get help right away by taking one of these actions:

You can call or text 988, the number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL), which is available 24 hours a day, every day. The service is available to everyone. All calls are free and confidential. You can also chat with the NSPL online (http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org).

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The Crisis Text Line is another free, confidential resource available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Text “HOME” to 741741 and a trained crisis counselor will respond to you with support and information via text message. Visit https://www.crisistextline.org.

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  • Call your mental health specialist.

  • Call 911 or your local emergency number.

  • Seek help from your doctor or other health care provider.

  • Reach out to a close friend or loved one.

  • Contact a minister, spiritual leader or someone else in your faith community.

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Additional Resources

For a more detailed resource on Suicide, click and download this PDF:  

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