September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a yearly reminder of the staggering rates of suicide and the importance of identifying and helping people who are experiencing a mental health crisis. Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States with over 49,000 people having died by suicide in the U.S. in 2022 and 13.2 million seriously contemplating suicide, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Westchester Jewish Community Services (WJCS), the largest provider of licensed community-based mental health services in Westchester County, is closely collaborating with the NYS Office of Mental Health and other agencies, to initiate a Zero Suicide model within the agency’s four Certified Community Based Health Clinics (in Hartsdale, Mt. Vernon, Peekskill, and Yonkers). Through the work of WJCS clinicians, peers, care managers, and medical staff, WJCS is committed to continuing to support the community, draw attention to this serious problem, and work toward the goal of Zero Suicide. The Zero Suicide evidence-based model includes key principles of staff training on suicide-specific practices, such as screening, risk assessments, collaborative safety planning with family and other support systems, and removing access to lethal means.
Suicide affects people of all genders, ages, and ethnicities. WJCS offers Mental Health First Aid Trainings for youth, teen, and adults. The goal is to help parents, educators, coaches, first responders, work colleagues, and peers recognize when someone is exhibiting signs of despair, isolation, rage, pain, which may lead to suicidal thoughts. Trainings include how to refer the individual in pain to the appropriate resources.
While there is no single cause for suicidal behavior, risk factors include:
- Depression or other mental health disorders
- Substance use disorder
- Previous suicide attempt
- Chronic pain
- Family history of a mental disorder, substance abuse, or suicide
Relationship violence, including physical or sexual abuse. Signs of distress that may suggest a person could be suicidal are:
- Talking about feeling empty, hopeless, or having no reason to live
- Talking about wanting to die or kill themselves
- Searching online for information about suicide, stockpiling pills, or buying a gun
- Talking about feeling great guilt or shame
- Talking about feeling trapped and seeing no solution
- Feeling unbearable emotional pain or physical pain
- Using alcohol or drugs with greater frequency
- Acting extremely anxious or agitated
- Isolating from family and friends
- Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
- Taking great risks that could lead to death, such as driving extremely fast
- Displaying extreme mood swings
If you or someone you know exhibits signs of being suicidal:
- Call 988, the Suicide and Crisis Hotline.
- Call The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
- Call 911
- Go to the nearest Emergency Room
Learn more about WJCS Mental Health First Aid Trainings
