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Suicide Prevention Week

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Suicide Prevention Week

Suicide Prevention Week

September 14, 2017

Suicide in the United States, especially when you factor in the standard of living and amenities provided for everyday Americans, is teetering on an epidemic.

Suicide in the United States has surged to the highest levels in nearly 3 decades, a federal data analysis has found, with increases in every age group except older adults. Women ranked as the steepest rise. It was also substantial among middle-aged Americans, sending a signal of deep anguish from a group whose suicide rates had been stable or falling since the 1950s.

In the addiction field, suicide is something treatment professionals always have to account for.

Counselors who deal with problem gamblers have to pay especially close attention to suicidal ideations and warning signs.

Gambling addicts have the highest rate of suicide attempts among all addictions.

However, suicide isn’t an issue unique to just the addiction field, its a massive problem all over the country.

Here are 5 alarming statistics concerning suicide:

  1. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the US
  2. Each year 44,193 Americans die by suicide
  3. People who suffer from addiction are at an increased risk.
  4. Suicide costs the US $51 Billion annually
  5. Every 30-40 seconds, someone kills themselves in America.

Want to learn how to spot people who are at risk. Here are some helpful tips according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention:

Talk

If a person talks about:

  • Being a burden to others
  • Feeling trapped
  • Experiencing unbearable pain
  • Having no reason to live
  • Killing themselves

Behavior

Specific things to look out for include:

  • Increased use of alcohol or drugs
  • Looking for a way to kill themselves, such as searching online for materials or means
  • Acting recklessly
  • Withdrawing from activities
  • Isolating from family and friends
  • Sleeping too much or too little
  • Visiting or calling people to say goodbye
  • Giving away prized possessions
  • Aggression

Mood

People who are considering suicide often display one or more of the following moods:

  • Depression
  • Loss of interest
  • Rage
  • Irritability
  • Humiliation
  • Anxiety

Help is available. Call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 to speak to a professional. If you are in the State of Florida, have a gambling problem and need help, call 888-ADMIT-IT or visit us on the web at www.gamblinghelp.org.

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