Know the Warning Signs: Tips for Suicide Prevention and Awareness

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If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the national suicide and crisis life line at 988. 

Suicide is the leading cause of death in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2022, 49,000 individuals died by suicide. That equates to 1 death every 11 minutes.  Suicide can impact all of us regardless of race/ethnicity, age, gender, sexuality, socioeconomic status, or education level. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 13.2 million people have seriously thought about suicide, 3.8 million have made a plan for suicide, and 1.6 million have attempted suicide. 

Rates of suicide continue to rise, particularly for African Americans. Since 2013, there has been a 57% increase in the rate for suicide for African Americans (Reed, Stoeffler, & Joseph, 2021). September is Suicide Prevention and Awareness month. Daphne King, assistant professor in the College’s Department of Social Work, shares her expertise to continue bringing awareness to suicide prevention and the importance of seeking help if you or someone you know are experiencing mental health challenges or mental illness.  

Suicide is preventable as this act is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Individuals contemplating suicide don’t see or consider any other solution. It is important to know the warning signs, risk and protective factors, and what to do if you or someone you know may be experiencing signs of suicide or mental health challenges. 

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the national suicide and crisis life line at 988. SAMHSA.GOV provides resources for suicide prevention and awareness month and recognizing the warning signs. 

Signs of Suicide 

  • Talking of not being here anymore or death that includes a plan for suicide (killing oneself) 

  • Giving away favorite items or possessions 

  • Isolating or withdrawing from friends and family 

  • Talking about being a burden to others 

  • Talking about feeling empty, hopeless, or having no reason to live 

  • Acting anxious or agitated 

Risk Factors

  • Previous suicide attempt 

  • Undiagnosed/untreated mental illness 

  • Recent or serious loss 

Protective Factors

  • Seeking services from a therapist or counselor 

  • Having a strong connection with family, friends, and community support 

  • Support through ongoing relationships with medical and mental health providers 

Suicide is preventable. Seeking help for mental illness, knowing your family history of mental illness, and engaging in self-care activities are a few things that can be engaged in to prevent suicide. Knowing the signs and risk factors, and when to intervene can save your life or that of someone you know.  

A few things you can do if you or someone you know are displaying suicidal ideation are: 

  1. Use the 988-text line for 24 hours crisis intervention 

  1. Seek the services of a licensed mental health professional 

  1. ACT: Acknowledge there is a problem, Care enough to ask for help and to let your family/friend know that you are there for them, Tell someone that can help. 

Dr. Daphne King, EdD, MSW, LCSW is an assistant professor and Master of Social Work online program director in the Social Work Department of George Mason University’s College of Public Health. King’s research interests are self-esteem issues in teens and adolescents, mental health concerns and treatment modalities for women of color, specifically African American women, and the impact engagement in Christianity or spiritual practices have on self-esteem. King is an expert in treating teens and adolescents with self-esteem issues and depression and has facilitated numerous clinical and psychoeducational groups on self-esteem issues for teens.  

Media Inquiries: contact Michelle Thompson at 703-993-3485 or mthomp7@gmu.edu.  

About George Mason University      

George Mason University is Virginia’s largest public research university. Located near Washington, D.C., Mason enrolls more than 40,000 students from 130 countries and all 50 states. Mason has grown rapidly over the past half-century and is recognized for its innovation and entrepreneurship, remarkable diversity, and commitment to accessibility. In 2023, the university launched Mason Now: Power the Possible, a one-billion-dollar comprehensive campaign to support student success, research, innovation, community, and stewardship. Learn more at gmu.edu.     

About College of Public Health at George Mason University     

The College of Public Health at George Mason University is the first and only College of Public Health in Virginia combining public health transdisciplinary research, education, and practice in the Commonwealth as a national exemplar. The College enrolls more than 1,900 undergraduate and 1,300 graduate students in our nationally recognized programs, including six undergraduate degrees, eight master’s degrees, five doctoral degrees, and six professional certificate programs. The College is comprised of the School of Nursing and the Departments of Global and Community Health, Health Administration and Policy, Nutrition and Food Studies, and Social Work. Learn more at cph.gmu.edu.