September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for Tennesseans aged 10 – 24, and the 2nd leading cause of death for ages 25-34. In fact, in the Volunteer State, we lose three individuals to suicide every day. In a recent survey, 19.2% of Tennessee High School Youth reported that they had “seriously considered suicide within the last 12 months”.
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, which is a great time to educate yourself and loved ones on warning signs of suicide and how to help someone in need. Many times, a person will exhibit warning signs that they are having thoughts of suicide. These warning signs will not always be clear, verbal threats, so being educated on signs to look for is of the upmost importance.
If you are looking for more information, The Jason Foundation has compiled an Informational Packet for Suicide Prevention Month that may be of use to you. The Packet will provide you with additional information on the tragedy of youth suicide and offer suggestions on how you can become involved in prevention efforts. The Jason Foundation is a nationally recognized leader in suicide awareness and prevention. They provide all of their programs, services, and materials to the public at no cost.
To download the packet, head to www.jasonfoundation.com and click on Suicide Prevention Month under the How to Get Involved tab. You can also visit www.tennesseewontbesilent.com to learn more about suicide prevention and resources in your area. Suicide is preventable. Together, we can make a difference.