Health and Wellness - Suicide

Behavioral Health System Navigation for Suicidal Thoughts and Related Concerns

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 Many people have thoughts of suicide. 

In 2020, 12.2 million adults nationwide thought about dying by suicide. Groups at highest risk to die by suicide include:

• Non-Hispanic American Indians.
• Alaska Natives. 
• Non-Hispanic White Americans. 

Males are four times more likely to die by suicide, making up almost 80-percent of deaths by suicide¹.

Suicide is a complex problem. It is often related to a constellation of events, experiences and feelings. No matter what you're feeling, Your Life Iowa is here to support you. Talking about suicide can be scary. YLI can help and connect you with local resources. 

 Most people with thoughts of suicide show warning signs. 

Most people who die by suicide show warning signs. It can be difficult to recognize the warning signs in the moment. Warning signs include²:

Talking about wanting to die. 

Giving away possessions. 

Acting agitated or anxious.

If you notice these warning signs in a loved one, please reach out immediately. Your Life Iowa is a trusted, knowledgeable resource to help connect you with care. 

 Suicide is preventable. 

Most individuals are desperate to live. They are unable to see alternatives to their problems. Strategies to help prevent suicide include3"

Improving access to medical care. 

Promoting healthy connections. 

Teaching coping skills. 

Identifying and supporting people at risk. 

Support and help are available 24/7. Call or text now. We are ready to listen. 

Questions about your or someone else's thoughts of suicide? Your Life Iowa can listen and connect you with support. Contact YLI 24/7. 

Call:(855) 581-8111      Text:(855) 895-8398      Live Chat

Citations

1. Suicide Data and Statistics. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2023. 
2. Frequently Asked Questions about Suicide. National Institute of Mental Health. 2023. 
3. Suicide Prevention Resources. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

 There are many factors that contribute to thoughts of suicide. 

A combination of many factors contributes to suicide risk. This include individual, relationship, community and societal factors. Suicide risk include, but are not limited to:

• Alcohol/substance use and gambling disorder. 
• Barriers to care.
• Cultural and religious beliefs. 
• Easy access to lethal means. 
• Exposure to others who have died by suicide. 
• Family history of suicide. 
• Family history of child abuse. 
• Feelings of hopelessness. 
• History of trauma or abuse. 
• Isolation, a feeling cut off from other people. 
• Lack of support.
• Local suicide clusters. 
• Loss (relationships, social, work or financial)
• Being impulsive or aggressive. 
• Major physical illness.
• Mental disorders.
• Previous suicide attempt. 
• Stigma associated with asking for help. 

 Talking with someone about suicide does NOT increase chances of suicidal thoughts of actions. 

Asking someone about suicide can often be an opportunity to open up about their feelings. Asking about suicide won't insult them or make them have thoughts of suicide. Asking about suicide lets people know that you care. We can help you know how to start that conversation or visit NAMI Iowa to learn more. 

 Most deaths in Iowa involving a firearm are suicide deaths. 

Access to lethal means is one of the risk factors of someone dying by suicide. A lethal means is anything that could end one's life. 

Of all lethal means, firearms are the most common. Accounting for approximately half of all suicides in Iowa. Approximately 80 percent of all firearm-related deaths in Iowa are suicides¹.

If concerned about your own access or a loved one's access to lethal means, help is available. Call, text or chat with a Your Life Iowa counselor today to learn how to best protect yourself or others.  

 Women are more likely to attempt suicide than men. 

Many risk factors for a suicide attempt, like family history and substance use, aren't based on gender. Gender can play a role in suicide risk. Women are three to four times more likely to attempt suicide than men. Men are more likely to die from a suicide attempt than women². 

Citations 

1. Prevention Firearm Suicide - Iowa Data. The Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence. 
2. Frequently Asked Questions about Suicide. National Institute of Mental Health. 2023.

 Brain injury and thoughts of suicide can be related. 

Many factors impact a person's risk of having thoughts of suicide or dying by suicide. Studies show that brain injuries in adulthood can lead to a higher incident of suicide¹. 

Screening for brain injury is a best practice. Especially for patients in any healthcare, community, or corrections-based setting. Brain injury screening tools assess a person's exposure to brain injury. Learn more with the Brain Injury Alliance of Iowa. 

LEARN MORE ABOUT BRAIN INJURY

Citation

1. Risk of attempted suicide among adolescents and young adults with traumatic brain injury: A nationwide longitudinal study. PubMed. 2019.

 Take care of yourself. 

Taking care of your emotional and mental wellbeing is important. Self-care often helps with coping with stress and negative experiences. Make self-care a regular part of your daily life to help you become more resilient. Resilience is the ability to bounce back from negative or hard experiences. 

Here are some ideas you can try for self-care¹:

• Take a walk outside.
• Drink a glass of water. 
• Make yourself a meal you enjoy. 
• Re-read one of your all-time favorite books. 
• Give someone a complement - and then complement yourself, too!
• Play with a pet. 
• Listen to a favorite music playlist. 
• Take a hot shower or bath. 
• It is ok to say no - give yourself permission to choose how you spend your time, resources or energy.
• Think about 10 things you are thankful for. 
• A couple of times a day, spend a few minutes stretching and breathing deeply. 
• Take a short break for coffee or tea. 
• Start on a project you have been wanting to begin for a while. 
• Watch your favorite movie. 
• Write yourself a letter about a few things that are bothering you - then throw it away.
• Call us at Your Life Iowa.

Citation

Help Yourself. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

 Is it okay to talk about suicide?

While talking about suicide may feel difficult or scary, it's always okay to talk about. Asking someone if they are thinking about suicide will not increase suicide risk. If you're nervous or unsure, we can help you have that conversation with a loved one.

 Can suicide be prevented?

The causes of suicide deaths are complex, but many things can help prevent them. Getting someone who may be considering suicide the appropriate care can be life-saving. Your Life Iowa can help. Call us at (855) 581-8111 to connect with a knowledgeable, caring counselor. 

 How does the media play a role in suicide deaths?

Suicide contagion is a real phenomenon. Exposure to suicidal behavior increases suicidal behavior for people at risk for suicide. This is especially true for young people¹. 

It is important to report and talk about suicides in a respectful and appropriate manner. this can limit the risk of suicide. 

Here are a few guidelines for tips for members of the media on covering and reporting on suicide²:

• Inform the audience of the suicide event facts without sensationalism. Avoid details of the manner of death. 
• When reporting about a person who died from suicide, use pictures from school or a job. 
• Avoid describing suicide with strong descriptive language such as "epidemic" or "drastic increase." Instead use words such as "rise" or "higher."
• Most people show warning signs - deaths by suicide are not inexplicable. 
• Suicide is a public health issue. Seek the input of suicide prevention experts when reporting. Include local crisis service logos and phone numbers in the article. 

Citations

1. Risk and Protective Factors. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2022. 
2. Recommendations for Reporting on Suicide. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

 Encouragement. One Text at a time.

You can never have too much support. That's why Your Life Iowa created our supportive text messaging program. Sign up to receive encouraging messages, no matter what you may be facing.

Sign Up for Text Messages

The language we use matters

Stigma continues to happen because of the language we use. How we talk and think about suicide matters. Our words and actions impact the health or those experiencing suicidal thoughts. 

The stigma associated with suicide can prevent people from talking about suicidal thoughts. It can also prevent them from accessing life-saving mental health care. 

Stigma around suicide can include negative beliefs or stereotypes. People may fear what other's think them as "weak" or a "failure" if they talk about having suicidal thoughts. Those who have lost a loved one to suicide may be hesitant to reach out for help because they are afraid of judgement. 

The good news is that there are safe, effective tools for combating stigma. 

Here are a couple of ways to reduce stigma and have more open conversations about suicide. 

• Learn the risk factors and warning signs of suicide. 
• Learn what to do if someone expresses thoughts of suicide. 
• Learn and share the facts about suicide.
• Use Appropriate Language. 
• Avoid using the following phrases
  • "committed suicide"
  • "successful or unsuccessful suicide"
  • "failed attempt."
  • Instead use, "died by suicide" or "killed him/herself."

Learn more about stigma and suicide