How Prevalent Is Suicide?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), every 5.8 minutes an American dies by suicide or a drug overdose. Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the U.S., claiming over 44,000 lives per year. Construction is one of the most at-risk industries with the highest number of suicides and the second-highest suicide rate. Men take their lives at nearly four times the rate of women, accounting for 79 percent of suicides in the United States. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for men ages 25-54.
Recognize the Warning Signs:
- Appearing sad or depressed most of the time
- Increased tardiness and absenteeism
- Talking about feeling trapped or wanting to die
- Extreme mood swings
- Feeling hopeless and helpless
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Withdrawing from family and friends
- Talking about being a burden to others
- Decreased problem-solving ability
“You do not give a suicidal person morbid ideas by talking about suicide. The opposite is true. Bringing up the subject of suicide and discussing it openly is one of the most helpful things you can do. Do not ignore threats of suicide even if made in a joking fashion.” (www.stopsuicide.org)
What to Do In an Emergency
Call 911 if you or a loved one are in immediate danger. Notify the operator that it is a psychiatric emergency and ask for an officer trained to help people with a mental health condition.
Help is Within Reach
If you are in crisis or just need to talk about suicidal thoughts, call 1-800-273-TALK (8255), the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. It is a 24-hour, toll-free, confidential suicide prevention hotline. You can also text HOME to 741741 or visit www.crisistextline.org.
More resources are available at: