SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH AND WITH REPORTS OF SUICIDAL THOUGHTS ON THE RISE DURING THE PANDEMIC, it's important to know how to deal with them. — September is National Suicide Prevention Month and with reports of suicidal thoughts on the rise during the pandemic, it's important to know how to deal with them.
2020 has been a year like no other and has taken a toll on everyone. "There is no one in the world that COVID hasn't touched," said Dr. Barbara Rothbaum, a clinical psychologist at Emory University School of Medicine.
A June survey of more than 5,400 U.S. adults by the CDC showed twice as many people reported serious consideration of suicide in the 30 days before being questioned that U.S. adults in 2018, referring to the previous 12 months. Suicidal thoughts were significantly higher among young adults, Blacks and Hispanics, unpaid adult caregivers, essential workers and those being treated for pre-existing psychiatric conditions.
Dr. Rothbaum says it is important to reach out. "If you're thinking about someone, they don't know they're thinking about them. Reach out, text them, email them, call them."
Ways to cope include remembering they're just thoughts, you don't have to act on them. Removing anything that could be used to harm yourself, getting good sleep, avoiding alcohol and other substances are also ways to help.
Talk to someone you trust, and if you or a loved one are having thoughts that life isn't worth living, please get help.
Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline
- 208-398-4357 (call or text)
National Suicide Prevention Hotline
- 1-800-273-8255
