This year National Suicide Prevention Week is from September 10th to 16th. The week was created to raise awareness that suicide is a preventable cause of premature death.
“Suicide is an international problem and a major public health concern. Suicide claims approximately over 800,000 lives worldwide each year, resulting in one suicide every 40 seconds. There is an estimated 10 to 20 suicide attempts per each completed suicide, resulting in several million suicide attempts each year.” (1)
American Indian and Alaska Natives Elders
Although suicides for American Indian and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) and Elders are underreported, often by as much as 30 to 40 percent, studies have found that suicide is a significant concern. (2) In 2015, AI/ANs had the second highest U.S. suicide rate of all race/ethnic groups, at 12.6 per 100,000 individuals. (3) To compound this, in the same study it was found that Elders also have a significantly high suicide rate. Those between 45 and 64 years of age have the highest rate at 19.6 per 100,000 individuals, but are closely followed by Elders 85 years or older at 19.4 per 100,000 individuals. In-between the two groups, Elders that are 65 to 84 years of age, have a suicide rate of 16.1 per 100,000 individuals. (3)
Furthermore, another study found that “Older adults make up 12% of the US population, but account for 18% of all suicide deaths. This is an alarming statistic, as the elderly are the fastest growing segment of the population, making the issue of later-life suicide a major public health priority.” (4)
What You Can Do
Both the American Association of Suicidology (suicidology.org) and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (afsp.org) have some great ways that you can help, including:
- Follow suicide prevention organizations on social media
- Attend a Twitter Chat or similar online event to learn more
- Share infographics and resources
- Donate to suicide prevention organizations
- Buy merchandise from suicide prevention organizations
- Host or join a suicide prevention and awareness event
- Have a conversation with your family and friends
- And for more ideas visit:
Sources
- American Association of Suicidology (n.d.). National Suicide Prevention Week Information & Media Kit. Retrieved September 07, 2017, from http://www.suicidology.org/Portals/14/docs/NSPW/2017/MediaKit2017.pdf?ver=2017-07-31-213925-627
- PBS. (September 30, 2015). Suicide among young American Indians nearly double national rate. Retrieved September 07, 2017, from http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/suicide-rate-among-young-american-indians-nearly-double-national-average/
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. (n.d.). Suicide Statistics. Retrieved September 07, 2017, from https://afsp.org/about-suicide/suicide-statistics/
- Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. (n.d). Suicide in the Elderly. Retrieved September 07, 2017, from https://www.aamft.org/iMIS15/AAMFT/Content/Consumer_Updates/Suicide_in_the_Elderly.aspx
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