O

ne person dies by suicide every 13 minutes, and every day over 100 Americans take their own lives, according to the Alabama Department of Public Health.

During 2014, there were 42,773 deaths by suicide in the U.S. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for 15- through 24-year-olds, and is the 10th leading cause of death for people of all ages.

Alabama has shown a pattern of higher rates of suicide than the U.S. national average since 1990, and in 2013, 719 Alabamians died by suicide. Suicide is the sixth leading cause of death among white males in Alabama and suicide rates are particularly high among white males ages 85 and older. Each person’s death by suicide intimately affects at least six other people, with over 200,000 newly bereaved each year.

In recognition that suicide is a significant public health problem in Alabama and suicide prevention is a statewide priority, Gov. Robert Bentley has proclaimed the week of September 5-11 as Suicide Prevention Week. The national theme for the week is “Connect. Communicate. Care.”

It’s often said that people who die by suicide showed no signs prior to their death. However, there are risk factors that are essentially the same for everyone. A few examples of major risk factors for suicidal behaviors include the following:

•        A history of depression, bipolar disorder, or other mental illness diagnoses

•        A serious personal loss or number of losses and defeats taken personally

•        Low self-esteem and self-loathing

•        Social isolation

•        Believing there is no hope for feeling better

•        Chronic alcohol or other drug use

•        Easy access to the means for dying, such as firearms, lethal drugs and poisons

Usually suicide is the result of a combination of these factors. Factors that help protect against suicide and suicidal behaviors include high self-esteem, social connectedness, problem-solving skills, supportive family and friends.

The number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Help is also available through community mental health agencies, school counselors or psychologists, suicide prevention/crisis intervention centers, private therapists, family physicians and religious/spiritual leaders.