Mental Health Awareness Month: Suicide Prevention

As Mental Health Awareness Month continues, it's important to be aware of the suicide rate and know the signs that a loved one may be struggling mentally. Suicide is a very uncomfortable topic to talk about and many times, the warning signs go unnoticed. This month is a good time to get the facts out and remind anyone going through a mental crisis that there is a place to turn to.

Sadly, suicide has been on the rise and is currently the leading cause of the death in the United States, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Together, we can help curve those stats by learning how to talk about this sensitive topic and recognizing the warning signs and risk factors. Persons dealing with substance, physical or mental abuse, depression or other mental illness, witnessed or has a family history of violence, are all factors that put a person at high risk of committing suicide.

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please know your life is important and you are not alone. There is around-the-clock help to get you through this.

Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK(8255).