Lawrenceburg, IN—September 8-14 is national suicide prevention week. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, killing about 47,000 people each year. The stigma surrounding suicide leads to underreporting, and data collection methods critical to suicide prevention need to be improved.
There’s no single cause for suicide. Suicide most often occurs when stressors and health issues converge to create an experience of hopelessness and despair. Depression is the most common condition associated with suicide, and it is often undiagnosed or untreated. Conditions like depression, anxiety, and substance problems, especially when unaddressed, increase the risk of suicide. Yet it’s important to note that most people who actively manage their mental health conditions go on to engage in life.
There are resources to help. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The Lifeline provides free, confidential emotional support and referrals to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Locally, CMHC provides crisis intervention services at its Main Center in Lawrenceburg. The Center also offers crisis intervention services using a 24-hour toll-free hotline at 1-877-849-1248 and an on-call crisis system.
