What can the US do to prevent suicide rates continuing to rise?

Giving people access to good information so they can make a better educated choice in their life may help. I know that during the year or so that we had no information that I was beginning to feel helpless. Now when I have a Q and do a search, I feel a tad bit more in control when I see answers that at least give me some choices

Debunk the notion that there is a “God.” I strongly believe that the thought of an afterlife brings many to suicide.

Suicide risk is associated with poverty, bankruptcy, job insecurity, hopelessness, and addiction, among other things. It’s pretty clear that if we want to reduce suicides, we’d make the completely reasonable changes that would improve the material conditions of people, reducing these risk factors.

@hello As regular citizens, not lawmakers, how do you suggest we do that?

All I continue to hear is be kind and patient with each other, but obviously that is not feasible for many people right now, nor do we actually have physical access to many people due to lockdowns and Covid.

I’m not one for relying on government to actually solve major issues like this so I’m looking for ideas or action items that we the people can do to help others.

@kritiper THERE IS A GOD! Suicide is one of things that keep you from entering into an eternity in Heaven. Suicide pretty much guarantees an eternity in Hell

@kritiper I will do some additional research to see if suicide rates are higher or lower for religious citizens.
I do know many religions do not condone suicide, or allow some burial rites when it’s a suicide.
Good point for me to research though, thanks.

@KNOWITALL: “As regular citizens, not lawmakers, how do you suggest we do that?”

We demand economic changes that build and strengthen a social safety net.

@KNOWITALL: “I’m not one for relying on government to actually sold major issues like this so I’m looking for ideas or action items that we the people can do to help others.”

It’s not “relying on government” – it’s demanding that government stops creating the conditions that lead to increased suicide risk.

There is a general belief in the US that government/economic systems are neutral, so when people demand change, they are “relying on government to solve problems”. But in reality, calls for change are merely calls for the government/economic systems to stop hurting and killing people.

@hello Understood, but you are apparently more of an optimist than I am regarding government and human nature.

It would seem to me that the first order of business would be to reverse the trend in the country toward the realization that life here is increasingly more trouble than its worth.

A ruthless “War on Suicide” is the answer.
Make attempted suicide a capital offence.

@KNOWITALL: “Understood, but you are apparently more of an optimist than I am regarding government and human nature.”

I’m not. I’m just saying that the data is there. These are things that are actionable. I’m not a mental health professional, and I don’t know how we can – as individuals – approach the situation in a non-material way that would cause a reduction in suicide risk.

@stanleybmanly Agreed, especially since it’s affecting the younger generation in bulk currently. That leads me to believe that schools should up the ante on suicide prevention assemblies or presentations.
Example: A 14 year old in my city committed suicide and when I spoke to a school board member, I asked if they would consider the idea and was told ‘good idea’ but not one was had and it’s been two years now.
I also hear a lot about youth bullying being higher now than ever, with social media, in my rural area.

@hello Yes, there’s certainly a LOT of recommended action steps, and has been for decades, but our government doesn’t seem to care, regardless of party.

@KNOWITALL: “but our government doesn’t seem to care, regardless of party.”

You’re exactly right. That’s why this goes beyond the two parties.

@KNOWITALL you can’t expect the schools to disguise the fact that those young people are correct in their perception. I wouldn’t trade my opportunities at their age with theirs today, even at gunpoint.

Suicide prevention programs work, but state and federal support for mental health services has been gutted everywhere. Three bills that would have reversed the trend stalled in congress in 2019 – 2020.

There may be some chance to improve funding and outreach, but it will take a major push from advocates who know the facts and can tell the story.

@stanleybmanly Do you think if we as individual’s increased our awareness of our words and actions and focused on being kind and compassionate, that we the people, could help each other through this turbulent time more effectively?

@JLoon Our area has received additional funding and it has simply moved to a corporate-style mental health system. Which, you may or may not know, is actually MORE intimidating to those with a mental illness or social issues.
One local facility was moved from a one-level open area to a high-rise with elevators in a crowded area, close to the hospital, with additional funding. The results were the opposite of the intention.

The fact that the bills stalled is merely evidence of the truth—nobody cares— or rather, as opposed to the primary directive of those who govern (the rich must get richer), mental health is of trivial interest or concern. Prove that climbing suicide rates depress the Dow/Jones average a single point and you would have an agenda overnight.

@SEKA Show him to me. Just saying he exists doesn’t make it so. There is no harm in not believing.

@kritiper Please see the 2013 Question where this was addressed when the site was a bit more diverse in belief systems.
“Christians, how has God proved His existance to you in your life?”
-copy and paste in the search box and it comes right up.

@stanleybmanly I completely agree, nobody seems to care, even now with the increase due to Covid, ie: isolation, financial depression and other situations.

Aside from fixing the issues that may cause suicidal thinking we can do things on a more personal level. We need to talk about it to friends, co-workers, relatives and acquaintances who seem to be having trouble. No matter how well we know them, we can say something like, “You seem to be having a rough time. I’m a good listener if you want to talk about anything.” If we know someone is depressed, we need to outright ask them if they’re thinking about suicide.

Primary care physicians are getting better about coming right out and asking if you’re depressed or thinking about hurting yourself as a routine question. Schools, including colleges, are asking the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (a voluntary health organization based in NYC with chapters in all 50 states) to come speak about suicide. They’re even going to Middle schools. They also speak to groups of first-responders to help the high-stress occupations themselves, as well as to make them aware of signals to look for in the people they deal with.

Just 3 days ago, “the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), the largest private funder of suicide prevention research, today announced an additional 6 research grants bringing the total to 43 new research grants, and the total investment to $5.5 million for the 2020–2022 grant funding cycle.” https://apnews.com/press-release/pr-newswire/science-mental-health-health-suicide-prevention-lil-dicky-3e617f5408bdf7971189f272ec4abf3d

Gun control is one potential strategy.

In terms of prevention, we have to teach mental health and healthy relationships at a young age. I’m not just talking romantic relationships, but how to be a friend, how to support others, etc. These are generally considered components of comprehensive sexuality education beginning in preschool or kindergarten, but such efforts are generally overruled in republican-dominated states.

Identifying and preventing adverse childhood experiences and adverse community exposures is another (related) approach that must begin at a young age. We should be tracking both individual experiences/exposures and also be aware of the community exposures, such as by zip code, at every interaction with healthcare, law enforcement, criminal justice/legal system, child welfare, etc.

And everyone should have their mental health and relationship safety screened frequently, at least within the healthcare setting.

@Cupcake Please explain further, if you don’t mind. Other than once a year at your annual exam, which most people don’t seem to do (based on a previous Q here), who does mental health and relationship screenings?

I’m saying it should be done. Wherever it makes sense – at school, work, doctor’s office, by the police. It should be normalized and done wherever possible (with all the limitations on sharing health data, etc.).

At the doctor’s office for annual exams is the bare minimum.

And as we understand the role of social determinants of health (all the effects of where you live, work, pray and play… neighborhood safety, food access, education, public green space, etc.), that information should be obvious in a dashboard in every system possible… again, law enforcement, courts, social services, hospitals and doctors offices. In this way, people who make decisions about you and offer services to you know about you (your health screening info, mental health info, literacy info, food security info, housing security info, relationship safety info), but also about where you life/work/pray/play. This is usually estimated by zip code statistics.

In part I think the rise in suicide and depression is an inevitable consequence of modern society. As the world becomes more populated, it becomes more anonymous, it becomes harder to forge an identity, it becomes more competitive, more stressful with more pressures, and I think people are just breaking with no systems of support and no end to the processes that cause misery. The pandemic just greatly increased those stressors and made socialization next to impossible. I think we do need to remove the stigma around mental health and treat it like physical health, we need to be more open to discussing suicide and suicidal feelings when we’re having them. Beyond that it would take major societal change to remove a lot of the factors that contribute to declining mental health. I’m not saying it’s impossible, but our society is only making life more difficult and more stressful for many; it’s not surprising that many have given up hope. (I know that suicide is not always directly caused by these external factors, but they make it worse and exacerbate existing mental problems).

@SEKA And I think that attitude, that suicide will bring an eternity in hell is extremely harmful and helps no one. Fear isn’t going to improve anyone’s mental health. I don’t agree with @kritiper but I think it’s important we don’t hold religious fear over people who are suicidal.

@Demosthenes Yes, it is all tied in with capitalism. We are working our mental, physical and social health away.

I would also argue that the mental health difficulties are also wrapped up with social health, which is why I think teaching about social connection and relationships is essential for young people. There is little we can do to improve mental health of adults… but we have a much better shot at improving the adult mental health of the children now.

@Cupcake I think so as well. The pandemic has made that difficult, as children were already addicted to screens (a poor substitute for real connection) before the pandemic and now we’ve told them they must do all their socializing on a screen. Tech addiction and the lack of real face-to-face socialization isn’t going to help. But that doesn’t mean we can’t try to teach young people about connections and relationships after the pandemic is over (and let them make the most of what’s available now).

@Demosthenes Yes, I agree.

@Desmosthenes “I’m not saying it’s impossible, but our society is only making life more difficult and more stressful for many; it’s not surprising that many have given up hope.”

I couldn’t agree more. We need a kindness initiative. At least we can stop speaking to others as if they are trash, because sometimes they believe it.

You won’t like it, but more social safety nets for people when they fall on hard times, so food and shelter can be made, and they don’t have to face the fact they could be kicked out on the street because they can’t pay the rent.

@KNOWITALL I direct your attention to my last comment to @SEKA, as I seek no answers to my lack of belief in “God.”
Your question was “What can the US do to prevent suicides rates continuing to rise?” and asked for my opinion.

@kritiper I’m a Christian, it’s my thread, and I was trying to be helpful. Skip it if you took offense.

@SQUEEKY2 I agree with safety nets, as most Americans do. Our definition of that is a little different though, I believe.
Rest assured, I spent more on people in need than my family the last two months. I would rather it not be another government ran sh#t show however.

@KNOWITALL We need a kindness initiative. At least we can stop speaking to others as if they are trash, because sometimes they believe it.

Sounds awesome, but what about all of the people filled with hate? They’re not going to want to “try a little kindness”. People who want revenge, people who disagree with you so vehemently that they’ll kill you. People with no regard for life. Seems like it’s the same old rivalry – good vs. evil.

@smudges All we can control is ourselves and take responsibility for the energy we bring.

@KNOWITALL Exactly. But my point was that if kindness hasn’t worked to reduce suicide, murder, genocide and the like up until now, why would it work in the future. That’s not to say stop being kind, not in the least. Kindness is always best. Unfortunately, it’s not going to change the world or the causes of suicide.

@smudges I think it would work and change the world but gettiing everyone on board with kindness is sadly impossible.
We should probably focus on action items than that pipe dream.

@KNOWITALL I think it would work and change the world but gettiing everyone on board with kindness is sadly impossible.

Thank you! That’s exactly what I’ve been trying to say, and you put it so succinctly. 8^)