September awareness sheds light on tragedy of suicide and suicide prevention

September was Suicide Awareness Month: a time which seeks to bring light to those who have been affected by this tragedy. The month was allocated to suicide awareness in 2008, and since then has served as a reminder of the fragilities of life.

Every year, more than 41,000 people die by suicide, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)--a number that is tragically high. Furthermore, it’s the 10th leading cause of death in adults, and the second in those ages 10-24. This number is only increasing, so it’s important that everyone do their part to become educated on the topic. Warning signs can include an individual talking about wanting to die, expressing an immense sense of guilt, or feeling like a burden. Other behaviors one may exhibit include researching ways to die, isolation, and extreme mood swings.

Addressing these behaviors is often considered taboo, especially to older generations who were raised to stay silent, thus being dubbed the “silent generation.” This learned behavior is often why parents stray from the topic of suicide because “there is a big misconception that [they’re] going to somehow put an idea in [their] kids' heads and it’s going to make them more likely to do something risky or bad. That is absolutely incorrect,” said chief science officer for the American Psychological Association, Mitch Prinstein, Ph.D. 

It’s not only adults that avoid these hard topics, as teens are quick to judge peers, categorizing them as “attention seeking” when they speak up about such feelings. At times, assumptions such as these come from a lack of understanding. For those who haven’t been in a seemingly interminable dark headspace, it’s understandably difficult to imagine themselves in the shoes of someone experiencing suicidal ideation. This is why high school senior Jonah Barrow decided to share his own experiences with ABC News. Barrow attempted to take his own life at just 18 years old, and nine months later had the courage to explain why. “I felt lost, worthless,” he said. “After the suicide attempt, it’s kind of jarring to think that before that moment, I had thought that I didn't have a future.”

After his attempt, Barrow realized that he did have a big, bright future despite how he felt prior. “I hope that I can change the mind of at least one person. That's all I care about,” he said in the interview. Barrow serves as a testament to the strength that resides within all. A common misconception that society pushes onto people, especially men, is that speaking up is a sign of weakness, when in reality, opening up about struggles is a strength. Nearly 80% of suicides are male as stated by the CDC, which is why it’s appalling that so many dismiss the struggles of men.  This isn’t to say that women don’t face similar problems, as women are 1.5 more likely to attempt suicide than men. 

Regardless of gender, suicide is a tragedy that no one should have to experience. Part of playing an active role in preventing suicide is being aware of what resources are available. 988 is the suicide and crisis lifeline which allows for contact through call or text. This resource connects individuals to counselors who they can confide in, and is the ideal contact in times of crisis. Further information on warning signs, behaviors, and risk factors is available through both the National Institute of Mental Health and Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Even at West, there are a number of counselors and staff who are equipped to help students deal with their struggles, because in 2023, the CDC reported that more than 22% of high school students had seriously considered ending their lives in the last year.

It’s also important to recognize the struggles that the family and friends of suicide victims face. The impact of suicide on loved ones is devastating, and police aren’t held responsible for cleaning up the scene, so it is suggested that families hire professional cleaners amidst their grief. The psychological impacts from this, and the grief itself are traumatic, and many face guilt afterward. It’s imperative that those who have lost a loved one to suicide reach out for help if they are struggling, because there’s no shame in grief. 

Suicide may be one of the common tragedies of modern society, but it doesn’t have to be. Through risk factor and warning sign education, awareness, and increased discussion on the topic, the likelihood of suicide can be lowered.

by Emma Toney

Published October 7 2024

Oshkosh West Index Volume 121 Issue I