Knowledge is crucial for suicide prevention
The recent high-profile nature of a hit artist’s performances of a new song highlight the impact of information in the fight against suicides.
Today is the International Association for Suicide Prevention’s World Suicide Prevention Day and September is recognized in the United States as National Suicide Prevention Month. Arguably no one has aided the cause more in 2017 than rapper Logic.
Logic used the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline phone number for the title of his collaboration with Alessia Cara and Khalid, “1-800-273-8255,” in April. Lifeline organizers reported calls are up 33 percent
compared to 2016 and engagement on Facebook has increased threefold.
The Lifeline is available 24 hours every day for confidential support, best practices for professionals and resources for prevention. An alternate line is available for anyone who is deaf or hard of hearing at 800-799-4889. A chat option is available online at https :// suicide prevention life line. org.
Studies repeatedly show knowledge of sources of support and aid decrease the likelihood someone will attempt suicide or have suicidal ideations. Searches about suicide prevention increased by 100 percent in the late spring after Logic’s single was released and have steadily increased ever since.
The Lifeline’s network of 160 crisis hotline centers throughout the country reported calls decrease to normal levels before a spike in late August. Logic, Cara and Khalid wore shirts with the Lifeline number during their performance at the 2017 MTV Video Music Awards on Aug. 27.
Numerous organizations will work throughout the month to increase engagement online and raise awareness. The Lifeline uses the hashtag, #BeThe1To, to spread information about actions anyone can take to prevent suicide. The hashtags #SuicidePrevention and #StigmaFree are also popular online and useful for efforts to raise awareness and initiate discussion.
Logic’s song was released a month after the controversial Netflix series, “13 Reasons Why,” debuted on the streaming service. The series depicted the female lead character’s death by suicide and contradicted safe reporting guidelines developed by a coalition of health, mental health and prevention organizations, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Association of Suicidology, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, National Alliance on Mental Illness, National Institute of Mental Health. The increase in awareness led by the song helped combat a rise in ideations seen after the show was released.
Garland County saw a dramatic decrease in suicides in 2016, when numerous local organizations buoyed prevention efforts. Suicide deaths decreased by about 50 percent after sharp increases from 23 in 2013 to 37 in 2014 and 39 in 2015.
More than 44,000 Americans and 600 Arkansans die from suicide each year, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Arkansas ranked 10th in the nation in
2015 with an age adjusted rate of 19.11 suicide deaths per 100 people. The national average is 13.26.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Helpline is available 24 hours every day at 800-6624357 for referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups and community-based organizations. All calls are confidential and service is available in both English and Spanish.
The NAMI HelpLine at 800-950-6264 is available for requests for information on mental health conditions, treatment options, local programs, recovery strategies, resource referral and support Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time. The HelpLine is also available through email at info@ nami.org.
Trained crisis counselors throughout the country are available 24 hours per day through the Crisis Text Line. Text 741741 for any type of crisis and messages can be sent to the Crisis Text Line account on Facebook.