September marks Suicide Prevention Month. Recent national polls indicate that 94% of adults believe suicide can be prevented. Unfortunately, we continue to see dramatic increases in the number of children and adolescents who need care.
The latest stats are sobering:
· Almost 48,000 people died by suicide in 2021;
· That’s 1 death every 11 minutes; and
· 12 million adults thought about suicide and over 3 million made a plan.
Suicide is preventable. We are listening.
As a behavioral healthcare provider right here in the Rio Grande Valley, our team at South Texas Health System Behavioral is dedicated to #BeThere during #SPM23 (Suicide Prevention Month 2023) in a manner that promotes connectedness and recovery through a variety of outreach efforts, including our monthly Let’s Talk Mental Health webinars and our recent Chalk the Walk: Hope & Inspiration Walk for suicide prevention. Culturally relevant mental health services, evidence-based treatments and support are available year-round. We are listening – and we can help.
If you or someone you love is experiencing an emotional crisis or thoughts of suicide, 24/7 assessments are available by contacting us directly at 956-388-1300 or you may contact:
· 988, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline that provides 24/7, no-cost and confidential support for individuals in distress, including prevention and crisis resources. Text, chat or call today. Trained crisis counselors are ready to serve.
· The Veterans Crisis Line for U.S. Military Veterans, call 988, press 1.
· Trevor Lifeline, the only national 24/7 lifeline for LGBTQ youth, at 1-866-488-7386.
We want our community to know we are in this together, and each of us has a role to play in suicide prevention throughout the year and especially in September.
#BeThere #SPM23
Editor's Note: The above guest column was penned by Jessica Becker, CEO and managing director of South Texas Health System Behavioral. The column appears in Th Rio Grande Guardian International News Service with the permission of the author. Becker can be reached by email via: Tom.Castaneda@uhsrgv.com.
