Suicide Prevention

Break The Stigma

• Talk to your teen often about their feelings, values, and ideas.
• Practice active listening by validating your child’s feelings and asking clarifying questions to better understand the situation. The expression of suicidal thoughts should always be taken seriously.
• Keep all conversations open and honest. Create a safe space with your kids so they feel comfortable coming to you if they start to have concerning thoughts.
• Regularly tell your teen what you love about her/his personality.
• Show interest in your child’s everyday life, talking about their highs and lows.
• Encourage your teen to be active. Exercise releases endorphins, hormones that are linked to improving one’s mood and easing pain.
• Make sure your teen knows about helplines that they can call or text for immediate anonymous support.
• Consult a mental health professional. Learn more about Youth Mental Health providers in our System of Care.
• Listen for red flag phrases, such as:
  • “Nothing really matters.”
  • “Sometimes I wish I could just go to sleep and not wake up.”
  • “No one really cares about me, anyway.”
  • “People would be better off without me.”
  • “I wonder who would come to my funeral if I died.”
• Let your teen know he/she is not alone. Make sure they know you will be right there with them no matter what and will help them through counseling or treatment if they need it.
• If you suspect your child might be having suicidal thoughts, it is extremely important to keep firearms, alcohol, and medications securely locked away.

An average of 8 percent of American teens attempt suicide each year, according to the CDC.

Listed below, in no particular order, are a few examples of suicide warning signs. Please note, all of the warning signs do not have to be present at once. However, if you notice a combination of any or all of these signs, take note as the person may be at risk.

• Previous suicide attempts
• Experiencing problems with an intimate partner
• Having experienced a friend’s or relative’s suicide
• Looking for a way/means to kill himself or herself
• Increased use of alcohol or drugs
• Talking about feeling hopeless, having no purpose and/or wanting to die
• Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
• Talking about being a burden to others
• Acting anxious/agitated
• Sleeping too little or too much
• Decreased concern about personal hygiene
• Displaying extreme mood swings
• Withdrawing from others or feeling isolated
• Changing diet, including a lack of appetite
• Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge.

Know The Signs

It is important to provide support for a person experiencing signs of suicide until professional help is available. Listed below are a few tips on how to help.

• Make sure the person is not left alone unless they pose a threat to the safety of others
• Listen carefully to what the person has to say
• Do not be judgmental, argue with the person, or agree to keep their feelings a secret
• Call the the local Suicide Prevention Hotline at 614.221.5445 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1.800.273.8255 for help
• In cases of emergency, call 911 for assistance
• Take the person to an emergency room or seek help from a medical or mental health professional

Source: Mental Health First Aid USA and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

How To Help

• In January of 2020 alone, Franklin County lost 20 individuals to suicide.
• For every 100,000 persons in Franklin County, 11.7 will complete suicide. This is higher than the national average of 11.5 completed suicides per every 100,000 persons.
• In Ohio, males age 85+ have the highest suicide rate at 41.9 per 100,000. In comparison, the suicide rate among women was highest among those aged 45-54 at 9.4 per 100,000.
• Suicide rates for white, non-Hispanic males in Ohio were four times higher than that of white, non-Hispanic females and two times higher than rates for black, non-Hispanic males.
• 30% of Ohio suicide victims had evidence of an intimate partner problem at the time of death.
• Nearly half of all Ohio suicide victims were diagnosed with a mental health issue.

Source: Ohio Department of Health – Ohio Violent Death Reporting System (OH-VDRS) – Injury Data Highlight: Suicides in Ohio, 2012