Alarming trends

•Rate for women ages 45-64 jumped 62% between 1999-2017.

•Rate for men ages 45-64 jumped 44% between 1999-2017.

•The overall suicide rate rose by 33% from 1999 to 2017, according to the National Center for Health Statistics, November 2018.

•In the four months after Robin Williams took his own life in 2014, there was a 10% increase – almost 2,000 additional suicides – (CDC).

Newest research:

Increase rate is due to:

-Job stress

-Personal finances

-Suicide contagion

Warning signs to look for:

• Hopelessness – no reason for living; no sense of purpose in life

• Rage, anger, seeking revenge

• Acting reckless or engaging in risky activities, seemingly without thinking

• Feeling trapped – like there’s no way out

• Increased alcohol or drug use

• Withdrawal from friends, family, or society

• Anxiety, agitation, change in sleep pattern (sleep little or all the time)

• Dramatic changes in mood

• Life changes – divorce or relationship status

• Financial situation changes

Get Help:

Call 9-1-1 or seek immediate help by contacting a mental health professional or calling 1-800-273-TALK (800-273-8255) when you hear or see any of these behaviors:

―Someone threatening to hurt or kill themselves

―Someone looking for ways to kill themselves: seeking access to pills or weapons, or other means

―Someone talking or writing about death, dying, or suicide

―Person has a definite plan with details about self-harm