[By Emily Horton, LMSW, Enhanced Multi-Disciplinary Team Coordinator for St. Peter’s Crime Victim Services.]
This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
In 2008, September was officially declared National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time to acknowledge those who have been affected by suicide and to shed light on this important issue.
The numbers are staggering: every year 41,000 individuals die by suicide in the United States. Additionally, each year 12.8 million people have had serious thoughts of suicide, 3.7 million people have made a plan, and 1.5 million people attempted suicide.
According to a 2023 national survey, more than 40% of people know someone who has attempted suicide or experienced suicidal ideation. It could be a friend, a family member, a co-worker, or simply someone you are standing next to in the grocery store.
Despite these numbers, the topic of suicide is still surrounded by stigma, making it difficult for many to talk about. These struggles are often invisible, and for many they are ongoing. For some victims of crime, feelings of despair and suicide can emerge in the aftermath of the crime that has occurred.
So, what do we say when someone is hurting, having suicidal thoughts, or they just need help? It is important that we listen, we let them know they are not alone, we offer reasons for living, and we provide resources to assist them. Communication is critical.
If suicide can be prevented with education, resources, and support, open conversations are critically necessary to save lives. The more we talk about suicide, the more we can reduce the stigma and connect people with the help they deserve.
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a nationwide hotline available to anyone who is struggling with thoughts of suicide. If you or someone you know are thinking about suicide, you can call or text 988 to connect with caring, skilled staff 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You are not alone; help is available.
If someone is in immediate danger to themselves or others, call 911 for immediate assistance.
Let us use September to raise awareness, honor those we have lost, support those who are struggling, and continue building a culture where mental health is openly discussed and help is always within reach.
St. Peter’s Crime Victim Services offers free and confidential services to survivors of crime. Available services include medical and legal advocacy, counseling and therapy, community education, and compensation assistance. For more information about Crime Victim Services, please call 518-271-3410 or visit us at sphp.com/crimevictimservices.
If you or someone you know has been the victim/survivor of crime and needs to speak with someone outside of business hours, you can contact our 24-hour crisis hotline at 518-271-3257.
