September is National Suicide Prevention Month
(Photo via Unsplash)
Tali Rosen, a then-junior at Beacon High School in New York, wrote a New York Times op-ed in May 2020 titled There is No Vaccine for Teenage Despair. She shared her heartbreaking experience of losing a camp friend to suicide and how the loss impacted her life. Tali’s piece raises awareness about the hidden complexities of youth depression and suicide, while encouraging teenagers who are suffering to pursue help. She also asks parents to check on their kids, “even the ones you don’t think you need to worry about.”
Tali’s story about losing a young friend to suicide is devastating, and unfortunately her experience is more common than you’d hope. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for people ages 10-34 and deaths by suicide increased almost 60% between 2007 and 2018 for the same age group, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Experts have found the increase in deaths from suicide are not unique to young people. Suicide is a growing public health problem and touches every age group.
Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.
Suicide was responsible for more than 47,500 deaths in 2019, which is about one death every 11 minutes, reports the CDC.
In 2019, 12 million American adults seriously thought about suicide, 3.5 million planned to take their own life, and 1.4 million people tried to die by suicide — also according to the CDC.
September marks National Suicide Prevention Month. Call to Mind strives to foster new conversations about mental health and suicide prevention all year-round. This month we join like-minded organizations to promote honest conversations about suicide to support those of us who need help.
Watch Tali Rosen and others share their stories and insights with Call to Mind Live: Preventing Teen Suicide in a Pandemic of Isolation.
Suicide Resources
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential phone & text crisis support. Call or text 988 to get started.