World Suicide Prevention Day is held every year on September 10 to provide awareness about suicide and provide resources and suicide prevention techniques to help those who have suicidal thoughts. Mental health is a serious issue that affects over 300 million people worldwide, and that number continues to grow. A depression treatment program can help you if you have suicidal thoughts and help you cope with your mental health issues.
At Arkview Recovery Center, we have mental health therapy and depression treatment programs to help those who are depressed and have suicidal thoughts. You should never let mental health stigma keep you from getting the help you need to live a healthy and happy life. If you or someone you love is depressed and having suicidal thoughts, learn more about our mental health therapy and depression treatment programs.
History of World Suicide Prevention Day
In 1999, suicide was the fourth highest cause of death between ages 15 – 44 worldwide. To help raise awareness and prevention, in 2003, the International Association for Suicide Prevention, World Health Organization, and the World Federation for Mental Health held the first World Suicide Prevention Day event to strengthen countries’ capacities to develop and evaluate national policies for suicide prevention.
Each year there is a different theme to highlight a specific area of awareness and prevention, such as Preventing Suicide in Multicultural Societies and Working Together to Prevent Suicide. One of the biggest obstacles they continue to face is the stigma of suicide and mental health issues. There is a lack of open and honest communication that prevents people from getting the help they need.
You can help celebrate World Suicide Prevention Day by reading up on mental health and suicide prevention. Or, take a mental health day and give yourself a much-needed break from the day-to-day stress and emotional toll life can throw at you.
Suicide Prevention Techniques
Suicide can be easy to detect when you are observant and familiar with the warnings signs of suicide. Sometimes all it takes to help someone who is feeling depressed is sitting and listening to them and talking. Let them know they are not alone and help is readily available. By learning some of the suicide prevention techniques, you can help save a friend.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends the following guidelines for helping someone you think may be suicidal:
- Ask – Be upfront but not confrontational. Admitting to feeling suicidal will not be easy for some.
- Be there for them – Keep them safe by removing anything they can use to harm themselves.
- Listen – Be supportive and listen to what they are saying. Let them know you are listening.
- Help connect with mental health support – let them know about a depression treatment program or mental health center near them.
- Stay involved – Follow up with them during and after their treatment program. Be the friend that they need throughout the entire process.
Know the Signs
Suicide typically comes as a complete shock to even close family and friends because people are afraid to talk about their feelings and come across as weak. If you suspect a friend or loved one is having suicidal thoughts, some of the warning signs that someone may be thinking about suicide include:
- A sudden loss of interest in doing anything
- Reckless behavior
- Withdrawal from friends and family
- Frequently talking about death
Sometimes the death of a loved one or a traumatic event can cause severe depression, and they will need help from a depression treatment program that can help them focus on the reason for their depression and learn how to cope with it in healthy and positive ways.
Begin to Heal from Depression at Arkview Recovery Center
At Arkview Recovery Center, our mental health treatment program can help you when depression keeps you from living a healthy and happy life. Many times, depression is the root cause of addiction, and our mental health treatment programs can teach you healthy coping skills instead of reaching for drugs or alcohol.
If you or a loved one is dealing with depression and having suicidal thoughts, call 717.744.0756 today to speak with one of our caring therapists or reach out to us online.
Kyle is Lead Therapist at Arkview Recovery Center. He holds a Master of Social Work degree from Temple University and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. He has years of experience working directly with individuals who suffer from addiction and mental health disorders. Being in long term recovery himself, Kyle is very passionate about the recovery process. He is heavily involved in the local recovery community in which he enjoys his commitments to service and giving back. His specialty is in group therapy and developing clinical staff. Kyle brings to Arkview a holistic approach to recovery, specializing in mindfulness, reality therapy, and solution-focused therapy.
