September is Suicide Prevention Month

September is National Suicide Prevention month. It is intended to highlight efforts at suicide prevention and reduce the stigma around talking about suicide, suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), suicide remains a leading cause of death in the US, and it’s estimated we lose someone to suicide every 11 minutes. And in 2022 13.2 million Americans admitted to seriously thinking about ending their lives.

There are two times as many suicides as there are homicides each year.

Across ethnic and racial groups, those who identify as Native American/Alaskan have the highest rates of suicide 27.1 suicides per 100,000 people, which is 1.5x the suicide rate of non-Hispanic white folks, the group with the next highest suicide rates.

As of 2022 the age groups with the highest rates of suicide are those 85+ and those 75-84.

Results from the 2022 US Transgender Survey are not yet available, but according the 2015 survey, 82% of gender diverse adults reported having seriously thought about suicide in their lifetime, and 48% reported having made an attempt. These numbers speak to how many folks are hurting out there. It is important to have compassion for them and ourselves if we have suffered like that. You are not alone, and help is available.

National Suicide Hotline 988 

San Diego Crisis Line 888-724-7240

Transgender Lifeline 877-565-8860 

Trevor Project 866-488-7386