A Cry for Help, Are You Listening?

Join the fight To prevent Suicide

“Globally, Every 40 seconds one person dies by suicide. That translates to 800,000 deaths annually.” (World Health Organization (who.int) Mental health.)

“In the U.S., suicide is the second leading cause of death for people age 10 thru 34.” (According to 2019 stats from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH Suicide Statistics Webpage)
“In 2019, there were an estimated 1.38 million suicide attempts in the U.S. resulting in 47,511 deaths.” (AFSP Suicide statistics)
“One death occurs for every twenty attempted suicides worldwide” (https://www.who.int/teams/mental-health-and-substance-use/suicide-data (2019)

These statistics indicate that people are crying out for help. So how can educators help?

Teachers, administrators, and concerned individuals, you can address this crisis as the school year starts. Campaign to make a difference in your class, school, and community by helping raise awareness.

September 10th marks World Suicide Prevent Day. Inform and educate the students in your school through lessons in your classroom or a speaker at a school assembly.

Recognize the warning signs your students or friends might display.

Here are 12 indicators from the National Institute of Mental Health:

Those who are contemplating suicide talk about:

Wanting to die
Having tremendous guilt or shame
Being a burden to others

They may feel:

Empty, hopeless, trapped, or have no reason to live,
Extremely sad, more anxious, agitated, or full of rage.
Unbearable emotional or physical pain,

They might exhibit behavior changes:

Making a plan or researching ways to die,
Withdrawing from friends, saying goodbye, or giving away important items, or making a will
Taking dangerous risks such as driving too fast.
Displaying extreme mood swings,
Eating or sleeping too much or too little
Using drugs or alcohol more often”

5 Practical steps you can take to save a life (from “Be The 1 To”)

Ask
Be There
Keep Them Safe
Help Them Connect
Follow Up

You can help save a life by sharing these warning signs and 5 steps to save a life with the students in your classroom. The 5 Steps and other resources are available in Spanish also. Talk with your principal about Implementing this in your school as an annual event.

Fight for those who have lost hope. Hang up the #BeThe1To posters in your school or community to get the message out. You can create your own poster that addresses your specific audience by following their guidelines.

Teachers and administrators, consider incorporating this Suicide Prevention planning into your school calendar every September. The life you save could be one that you know.

Post the suicide hotline number (800-273-8255) and text info: text Talk to 741741 in your classroom.
Have your students take out their cell phones and add the suicide prevention number and text info to their contact list so they can use it or share it with a friend.
Let your students know that you are available if they need to talk, if they are struggling with suicidal thoughts.
Tell your students If a friend is struggling, don’t keep a secret. Tell a teacher, parent, help them seek help.
Share Suicide Prevention Resources on Social media such as #BeThe1To.