Today starts #SuicidePreventionMonth and for each day I’ll add to this thread info + resources on suicide prevention and mental health. On average close to 800 000 people die from suicide each year. Suicide is the deadliest pandemic we don’t talk about. Let’s change that.

#2 Some figures:

Male suicide rates are the highest in 20 years.

Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among young people.

For each adult who died by suicide there may have been over 20 others attempting it.

In the US, 60% of deaths from firearms result from suicide.

#3 (pt 1) Taboo:

Suicide is still a crime in some countries. It was only ~recently removed from the UK, USA & Canada’s criminal codes.

In Ancient Civilizations mental illness was seen as religious punishment or demonic possession. This perspective persisted up until late XIX

#4 (pt 2) Taboo:

Ppl who suffered from mental illness were witch-hunted in the Middle Ages. After XVIII, they were restrained in barbaric conditions, often secondary to prisons

The concept of mental health as a medical field surged in 1946 w the creation of the World Health Org

#5 causes

Some studies connect suicide with impulsivity, but suicide itself cannot b considered an impulsive act

The most common cause of suicide is severe depression

Other mental illnesses with high risk of suicide are bipolar, BPD, schizophrenia & eating disorders

#6 Myths (pt 1)

FALSE: ppl who talk about suicide are just doing it for attention. Most who attempt suicide had talked about it before.

FALSE: theres nothing u can do to help someone who is suicidal. Evidence shows the right help can discourage someone from a suicide attempt.