If you or someone you know is considering suicide, call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or get help online. Those in Kansas or Missouri can also call Camber Mental Health at 913-890-7468 to find children’s psychiatric treatment near you.

If action has been taken or someone is experiencing a life-threatening emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

September is National Suicide Awareness Month. This month (and all year long), KVC works to raise awareness, reduce stigma and educate people on how to help prevent suicide. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, 49,476 people died by suicide in 2022. And in only two years since its launch, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline has responded to more than 10 million contacts. Suicide has become a major public health issue and families across the United States are in crisis as suicide has become the second leading cause of death for people ages 10-14 and 25-34. 

To help protect yourself and those close to you from this tragic public health issue, it’s important to understand the facts, warning signs, risk factors and how to prevent suicide by supporting those around you.

Know the Misconceptions and Facts

The first step to preventing suicide is understanding what misconceptions you may have. Here are five common myths about suicide and the facts to help you better understand this life-threatening condition:

MYTH: Suicide Can’t Be Prevented

FACT: Suicide is preventable, and most suicidal crises are short-lived. While unpredictable, suicide can be prevented with timely interventions by loved ones, support services, or proper medical care and treatment. In a poll by the Suicide Prevention Resource Center taken in 2022, three-quarters of adults in the United States said that most people who die by suicide showed some signs beforehand, and 94% agree that suicide can usually be prevented.

MYTH: Suicide Only Affects People with Mental Health Disorders

FACT: More than half (54%) of people who died by suicide in 2016 did not have a diagnosed mental health condition. While mental health conditions can be a contributing factor, many go unknown and undiagnosed, and other people may contemplate suicide on impulse following a series of precipitating events rather than a diagnosable condition.

MYTH: Suicide is the Result of a Single Factor or Event

FACT: There is rarely one single factor that causes someone to consider suicide. Some of the issues that can contribute to suicide include substance use, trauma, untreated mental illness, physical health, financial stress, legal issues, housing, relationships and more.

MYTH: Limiting Access to Suicide Methods Won’t Make a Difference

FACT: Reducing access to lethal methods of suicide is effective at decreasing the chances of suicide. Firearms accounted for more than half of suicide deaths in 2022. Taking preventative steps like locking up firearms in secure storage and building barriers on bridges can significantly reduce the chances of a successful suicide attempt.

MYTH: Talking About Suicide Increases the Risk

FACT: Open communication can help a person in crisis process their emotions and see options other than suicide. Asking about a person’s mental well-being can help diminish their fears and provide a safe space for them to confide in a trusted person about what they’re going through, getting them the help they need before it’s too late.

Know the Risk Factors

The factors below may indicate an increased risk of suicidal thoughts or attempts in children and teens. As a parent or caregiver of an adolescent or young person, it’s especially important to know these risk factors to empower teen suicide prevention:

• A prior suicide attempt
• A family history of suicide
• A recent death of a family member or loved one (by suicide or other means)
• Exposure to traumatic experiences like witnessing violence or experiencing abuse or neglect
• A family history of mental illness, depression, alcohol and/or drug misuse
• Chronic pain and certain medical conditions

Know the Warning Signs

Adult and teen suicide prevention is achievable when you know the warning signs of a possible crisis:

Talking About:

• Killing themselves
• Wanting to die
• Feeling hopeless
• Unexplainable and/or unbearable pain
• Feeling like there’s no point to life

Behavior Changes:

• Drastic changes in behavior, such as struggling with depression but suddenly displaying a surge of happiness or eagerness
• Increased alcohol and/or drug use
• Changes in sleeping and/or eating habits
• Withdrawal from family, friends and/or activities
• Displaying changes in their mood, such as increased anxiousness, anger or other extreme mood changes
• Giving away prized possessions or making a will
• Lack of interest in the future
• Acquiring a means of suicide such as a gun or stockpile of pills
• Risky or self-destructive actions, like reckless driving or substance abuse

Be an Interventionalist: What You Can Do to Prevent Suicide

If you know a child or teen struggling with suicidal thoughts, depression or other mental health needs, seek professional help immediately. There isn’t a “one-size-fits-all” with treatment and children’s needs. Here are some steps you can take to find a child or teen the help that best fits their situation and unique needs:

• Speak with their primary care provider or a local community health center
• Call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988
• Contact the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Teen & Young Adult Helpline by texting “Friend” to 62640, calling 800-950-6264 or chatting online for peer support and referrals (resource available M–F from 10am–10pm)
• Visit the Anxiety & Depression Association of America website at adaa.org
• Visit a local hospital or emergency department and ask for a consultation
• Contact Camber Mental Health at (913) 890-7468 to learn about our youth psychiatric treatment programs serving Kansas and Missouri, click here to see our locations
• Educate yourself and others on suicidal ideation through the Child Mind Institute

Being aware of the warning signs and risk factors above will help you identify when friends, family members or someone you know starts to exhibit these behaviors. In many communities, suicide carries a negative stigma that prevents some people from seeking the help they need. Keep an open mind when talking to others about their feelings and be sure not to promote this stigma. Be encouraging when urging someone to seek help, whether through a mental health professional, a visit to the emergency room or by calling the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 988.

Further Resources

KVC Health Systems has decades of experience serving children, young people and adults at risk of suicide, and has provided life-saving treatment to thousands of people. Learn more about KVC’s evidence-based clinical practices that support suicide prevention.

If you’re interested in suicide prevention training for your organization, school, community or other group, learn more here. You can also download this free recorded series to learn how to identify suicide risks and warning signs, the latest advancements in suicide assessment and interventions, how to support a youth after a suicide attempt, and steps for preventing suicide.