Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month: A Reflection

September marks Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about mental health and the pressing issue of suicide. This observance serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of open conversations about mental health and the need for comprehensive support systems. As the month comes to a close, I found myself reflecting on a few key aspects of this initiative.

The Importance of Awareness Campaigns

Awareness campaigns play a vital role in demystifying mental health issues and reducing stigma. Initiatives like "World Suicide Prevention Day" on September 10th aim to educate the public about the warning signs of suicide and encourage individuals to seek help. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention found that communities implementing these campaigns saw increased help-seeking behavior, suggesting a link between awareness and reduced suicide rates. By providing information, these campaigns can foster a more empathetic society, enabling friends, families, and communities to recognize when someone may be struggling.

Evidence-Based Strategies for Prevention

While raising awareness is essential, it must be complemented by evidence-based strategies to reduce suicide rates effectively. Here are some proven approaches:

1. Crisis Intervention Programs: Establishing hotlines and text lines where individuals can reach trained professionals has been shown to reduce suicide rates. For example, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988) provides 24/7 support and has been effective in connecting people to immediate help. A study published in Psychological Services highlighted that access to crisis intervention services significantly lowers suicide risk among callers (Kuo, et al., 2018).
2. Gatekeeper Training: Training community members—such as teachers, healthcare providers, and clergy—to recognize the warning signs of suicide and respond appropriately can save lives. Programs like QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) equip individuals with the skills to intervene effectively. Research published in Crisis: The Journal of Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention shows that gatekeeper training can significantly increase the likelihood of participants effectively intervening in a crisis situation (Gould, et al., 2007).
3. Safe Messaging Guidelines: Using responsible media guidelines when discussing suicide can help prevent contagion effects. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention provides resources for media professionals on how to report on suicide sensitively. Studies indicate that responsible reporting can mitigate the risk of suicide contagion (or copycat suicidal behavior) (Pirkis & Burgess, 2006).
4. Access to Mental Health Care: Increasing accessibility to mental health services, especially in underserved communities, is crucial. According to a report by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), integrating mental health services within primary care settings can improve access and outcomes for individuals at risk (NAMI, 2020). Additionally, policies promoting insurance coverage for mental health care can make a significant difference. I will never forget having to argue with an insurance agent to obtain approval for inpatient psychiatric treatment for a patient with limited mental health coverage because the agent did not believe that an intentional Tylenol overdose was "serious enough to count as a suicide attempt" (PSA #1: just because it is a common OTC drug doesn't mean it can't kill you. The National Institutes of Health reports that acetaminophen is responsible for 56,000 emergency department visits, 2,600 hospitalizations, and 500 deaths per year in the United States).
5. School-Based Programs: Implementing mental health education in schools can help students recognize their feelings and seek help when needed. The "Signs of Suicide" program, for instance, has been shown to significantly increase help-seeking behavior among students (Aseltine & Demartino, 2003). Studies also reveal that school-based interventions can lead to a decrease in suicidal ideation among adolescents.
6. Community-Based Support: Creating support networks within communities—such as peer support groups—encourages individuals to share their experiences and reduces feelings of isolation. Research indicates that peer support can effectively improve mental health outcomes and decrease suicidal thoughts (Chung, et al., 2019). Programs that promote connectedness, such as the “Connect” initiative in Minnesota, have demonstrated significant improvements in community resilience.

The Challenges Ahead

Despite these effective strategies, challenges remain in ensuring their widespread implementation. Ensuring that messaging is sensitive and responsible is critical, as poorly crafted campaigns can trigger negative feelings in vulnerable individuals. For example, the popular book-adapted TV show “13 Reasons Why” sparked a national debate about media portrayals of suicide with its graphic and emotionally intense depiction of a young girl’s death. The original scene showed and described the full actions that the main character took to end her life and the reaction of her parents who discovered her. There were people on all sides of the spectrum, some stating that it was too graphic for the intended audience (teens/young adults) and fearing it could inspire suicide attempts. Others claimed it was best to show the real and raw consequences, hoping it might dissuade those with ideation from taking action (PSA #2: be vigilant of the media your children are consuming, regardless of topic). Amid the controversy, Netflix backpedaled and deleted the visual scene, instead only describing the death verbally.

As a society, we are making huge gains in the de-stigmatization of discussions around mental health, however, some landscapes still prove difficult to navigate. Social media sites have to deal with an influx of inappropriate and harmful content daily, and have deployed strategies such as censoring and removing content with certain “trigger words”. The word “suicide” has been placed on that list for many sites. A few sites have stated their reasoning; not wanting harmful and inaccurate materials to negatively influence people into committing suicide. Fair, but the algorithm can also block people from putting out helpful information, or even people who are suicidal and attempting to reach out for help. This again opens up the debate on whether or not social media platforms are obligated to protect users via content regulation, or protect users' rights to unrestricted free speech.

Debates on both of these subjects are nuanced and ever-evolving. Here at RxTeach, we love honest and respectful discussion; add your thoughts in the comment section below.

As we reflect on Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month, it is essential to remember that awareness is just the first step. We must engage in ongoing conversations about mental health, advocate for better resources, and support individuals who are struggling.

While awareness campaigns are an essential tool in suicide prevention, they must be part of a broader strategy that includes evidence-based practices and accessible mental health services. All of this may seem a little daunting, and you may be wondering where to start. VOTE in upcoming local and national elections for candidates who seek to look out not only for you, but your neighbor as well. See where candidates are pledging to allocate their resources and vote for the candidates who will represent your values and seek to genuinely make the world a better and brighter place. 

Together, we can work toward a future where fewer lives are lost to suicide and everyone has the opportunity to seek help without fear or stigma.

If you or a loved one is in crisis, call the Lifeline at 988.

References

• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. (n.d.). Impact of Crisis Services on Suicide Prevention.
• Aseltine, R. H., & DeMartino, R. (2003). An outcome evaluation of the SOS suicide prevention program. Crisis: The Journal of Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention, 24(1), 21-29.
• Chung, H., et al. (2019). Peer Support Interventions for Individuals with Mental Health Conditions: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Mental Health Systems, 13, 46.
• Gould, M. S., et al. (2007). Evaluating gatekeeper training for suicide prevention in a community-based setting. Crisis: The Journal of Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention, 28(4), 181-186.
• Kuo, C. J., et al. (2018). Effects of crisis intervention on suicide risk. Psychological Services, 15(1), 109-116.
• NAMI. (2020). Mental Health in America: A Report on Mental Health Services.
• Pirkis, J., & Burgess, P. (2006). Suicide and suicide prevention: A global perspective. The Lancet, 368(9530), 290-291.

*Information presented on RxTeach does not represent the opinion of any specific company, organization, or team other than the authors themselves. No patient-provider relationship is created.