National Suicide Week is September 6th through the 12th, and the HSHS Hospital System is trying to raise awareness.
Close to 800,000 people die due to suicide every year, which is one person every 40 seconds, according to the World Health Organization.
Navigating a pandemic and national unrest may contribute to this troubling statistic, as fear and anxiety may overcome us as we’re trying to understand what’s happening around us.
Alyssa Van Duyse, an HSHS colleague and suicide prevention instructor certified by the national QPR Institute, says it’s important to not only take note of your own feelings during this uncertain time, but also of those around you.
A common misconception about suicide it that talking about it increases the likelihood of someone performing the act, which is simply not true.
If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, or in an emergency dial 911.
