LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) – According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 13 million Americans thought about or attempted suicide in 2023.
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and experts say one of the keys to prevention is recognizing the warning signs in others. On average, 11 people die by suicide daily in the United States. The warning signs of suicide may include a dramatic change in personality, expressing feelings of being a burden, hopelessness, or social isolation. Experts say noticing these changes may be the right time to start a serious conversation to help prevent another death.
“I think the isolation one is one to pay attention too. Now with social media, the unknown of what's going on in our family's lives. So having a conversation and just being frank and honest and recognizing, if you have somebody that's struggling, ask them if they're having thoughts of suicide. And that's a tough question to ask, but it's a necessary question if we want to prevent the next death from occurring," said Rick Skilliter, OCPS, CTR, CCISM, executive director of PASS Lima.
If you are concerned about someone in your life, call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. Trained counselors can connect you with local resources and guide you in starting the conversation.
