September is National Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month. While suicide is a highly stigmatized topic that most people don’t want to talk about, it’s crucial to have these conversations. An open discussion about suicide can help increase awareness and direct people toward the resources they need to improve their mental health.

On average, there are 132 suicides a day in the United States alone. Increasing suicide awareness is one of the most effective ways to fight this battle. You’ll learn how to identify the signs, where to seek help, and how you can take action.

Why Suicide Awareness Month is Important in the Military

Unfortunately, suicide is all too common in the United States military. At least four times as many service members have passed from suicide than through combat operations after 9/11 and accounts for one of the leading causes of death in military personnel.

These shockingly high numbers point to a clear need for suicide awareness, prevention, and intervention. We need to have open and honest discussions about suicide more than once a year to truly make a difference in these heart-wrenching statistics.

Regular suicide awareness is one of the best ways to fight the high suicide rate in the military. Learning more about suicide, the signs, risk factors, and available support can help you save loved ones and even yourself.

Recognizing the Warning Signs

Knowing the signs of suicidal ideation can help you intervene and get help sooner. Some of the most common warning signs of suicidal ideation include:

●Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness

●Feeling a lack of purpose in life

●Withdrawing or isolating from loved ones

●Increased substance use and abuse

●Heightened anxiety or irritability

●Talking about being a burden or wanting to die

●Giving away items and making end-of-life arrangements

●Seeking access to pills, firearms, and other lethal means

If you notice these signs in a loved one, you should consider opening a line of communication and offering your help. If you notice these signs in yourself, find someone you can talk to and a mental health care professional to learn how you can cope with uncomfortable thoughts and feelings and how to improve your mental well-being.

The Common Risk Factors for Suicide

Some people are at a higher risk for suicide than others. Learning what the risk factors are can help you intervene early when you or a loved one starts to experience suicidal thoughts. Some of the risk factors include:

●Untreated mental health conditions

●Lack of a support system

●A history of substance abuse and addiction

●Little to no access to mental health and substance abuse treatment

●Loss of relationships, financial status, health, or career

●History of suicide attempts

●Low self-esteem and insecurity

Service members also have unique risk factors that aren’t present in civilian lifestyles. Some risk factors among military personnel include exposure to traumatic combat scenarios, regular access to weapons, and challenges reintegrating into civilian life.

Suicide Support and Resources

If you suspect that someone you know is suicidal, there are different ways that you can help them. Some of the best ways to offer support include:

1. Be There to Support Them

Many people who are suicidal often feel alone in their struggles and that they don’t have a reliable support system. Letting them know that you’re there for them and being willing to listen and spend time with them can make a significant difference in their mental well-being. While it won’t fix everything, it’s an excellent first step to help curb their uncomfortable feelings.

2. Encourage Them to Contact Confidential Support

There are plenty of confidential support lines to call or contact when you’re feeling suicidal. If someone you know is experiencing these feelings, encourage them to contact one of these 24/7 support lines:

●Veterans Crisis Line: Call 1-800-273-TALK and press 1 or text 838255

●National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 1-800-273-TALK

●Crisis Hotline: Call 988 or text TALK to 741-741

●SAMHSA Treatment Referral Hotline: Call 1-800-662-HELP

3. Help Them Find Care for Long-Term Support

While a confidential support line can provide immediate help, someone struggling with suicidal ideation needs mental health care to improve their long-term health and outlook. You should encourage your loved one to seek out professional mental health treatment so they can get to the root cause of their suicidal tendencies and learn how to overcome them.

If your loved one is having trouble finding the right resources or building up the courage to ask for help, offer to help them search for the appropriate care. You can even offer to take them to and from appointments and be someone they can listen to and fall back on while they’re going through treatment.

We Are in This Together

We at MLC know this is a fight we can win if we all take the time to love each other and look out for one another every single day. This is not a battle anyone has to fight alone. Our military families, friends, and co-workers can work together to provide a network of support for the service members and veterans in our communities. We are all in this fight together.