By State Rep. Thomas Murt
In the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, one person dies by suicide every four hours. On average, that is six people per day, 180 people per month and over 2,100 people per year. As a veteran of the war in Iraq, I am especially concerned about the high number of veterans who take their lives on a daily basis.
Even though suicide is preventable, it has become a leading cause of death. The lives lost to suicide are people we know, members of our family, friends and individuals in our community. Although there is not an easily applied solution to address this public health concern, it is critical to acknowledge the prevalence of suicide and what we can do to help connect those who are struggling with the help they need.
Suicide does not discriminate based on gender, age, race, socioeconomic status, geographic location or religion. It cannot be isolated to a single cause, however, there are shown behaviors that reflect a heightened risk of duress. Warning signs can be reflected by feelings of sadness, hopelessness, uncontrollable pain, guilt and wanting to die. These behaviors may include withdrawing from friends, family and changes in mood. Certain risk factors may also involve family history of suicide, substance abuse disorders, chronic pain and mental health disorders. Any warning signs or mentions of suicide should not be ignored, they should be taken seriously and appropriately addressed.
Individuals contemplating and potentially acting upon their suicidal thoughts can often have underlying mental health concerns. A mental illness diagnosis may sometimes be directly linked to suicide. According to the National Alliance for Mental Illness, research has shown 46% of people who die by suicide have a known mental health condition. Discussing health concerns with a licensed medical health care professional is critical in determining an action plan to receive help. Seeking help proves unwavering strength that those who are at-risk are able to recognize their symptoms and ask for assistance.
There is a course of action that can be taken to assist a person who is experiencing distress and emotional pain. It is important to talk to the person at-risk about their thoughts and define the scope of the potential issue. It is of critical importance to reduce the suicidal person’s accessibility to lethal means and to keep them safe. By actively listening to the thoughts of the person at risk, you help recognize their concerns and validate their feelings. Often connecting the person to a trusted member of their inner circle and to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can provide another element of care. After a crisis, following up with the person to check in on them to let them know they are understood and cared for, truly makes a difference in the lives of those affected.
As a member of the Pennsylvania Statewide Suicide Prevention Task Force, I am continually reviewing policy initiatives that address ways to educate the public and encourage those struggling to reach out and ask for help as well as prevent suicide. Legislators, medical professionals and suicide/mental health experts participate in conversation on how to confront suicidal actions and provide optimum care. I believe by raising awareness and confronting the stigma around suicide, we can connect individuals who are at risk with critical care and resources.
Help is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. If you or someone you know is seeking treatment, please know that there is support and assistance available. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 800-273-TALK (8255). Additionally, there is a crisis text line available that provides confidential support via text. By texting “HELLO” or “START” to 741741, a person can be directly connected to a trained counselor. Only by fostering open and honest discussion about suicide can we provide help to loved ones at risk, and provide resources and information to prevent suicide. ••
Kailee Fisher contributed to this article.
Rep. Thomas Murt represents the 152nd Legislative District, which includes parts of Bustleton and eastern Montgomery County. He is the chairman of the Human Services Subcommittee on Mental Health.
