Suicide remains a public health crisis and a leading cause of death throughout the United States. According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2020, an estimated 12.2 million American adults seriously thought about suicide, 3.2 million planned a suicide attempt, and 1.2 million attempted to take their lives.
If you have ever thought your loved ones might be better off without you or felt overwhelmed by hopelessness or sadness, talking to someone about your emotions can help pull you out of that dark place. In observation of World Suicide Prevention Day on Sept. 10, what are some healthy ways to prevent yourself from becoming another statistic?
Call 988 When You Are in a Crisis
In July, a new shortcut for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline became active. Now, anyone in America who is struggling with their mental health can dial 988 to automatically connect to free, confidential support. This number is for anyone dealing with suicidal ideation, depression, a substance use disorder, or any other form of emotional distress.
Calling or texting 988 will redirect you to your nearest local crisis center based on your area code. Lawmakers hope this shortcut will free first responders to respond to other kinds of emergencies and help reduce the number of potentially traumatic experiences faced by people who would otherwise have ended up waiting in an emergency room or interacting with police officers.
Put Your Troubles in Perspective
When you are depressed, unhappy, socially isolated, or dealing with other mental health challenges, you might find hope in knowing you are not alone. Perhaps one or more of these suicide prevention quotes resonate with you.
“One of the secrets of life is to make stepping stones out of stumbling blocks.” – Jack Penn
“Though no one can go back and make a brand-new start, anyone can start now and make a brand-new ending.” – Carl Bard
“When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hang on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.” – Harriet Beecher Stowe
“To anyone out there who’s hurting – it’s not a sign of weakness to ask for help. It’s a sign of strength.” – Barack Obama
“When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt
“If someone listens, or stretches out a hand, or whispers a word of encouragement, or attempts to understand a lonely person, extraordinary things begin to happen.” – Loretta Girzartis
Finding Health, Happiness, and Healing
Because addiction is a leading risk factor for suicidal thoughts and behaviors, seeking help for a substance use disorder becomes even more paramount if you frequently consider harming yourself or ending your life.
At Lakeside-Milam Recovery Centers, we have helped thousands of people find new meaning and hope since our founding in 1983. When you call our admissions team, you’ll reach someone who can explain how to break the cycle of drug and alcohol dependency and put you on a path to recovery. Reach out to us today if you have been suffering in silence and want to be happy again.
