by Amy Chavez Bilingual Program Manager | HERE Now and Anti-BIAS programs

As a School-Based Suicide Prevention and Early Intervention program, we at HERE Now want to highlight September as National Suicide Prevention Month.

At SDYS, we are privileged to ask, connect with and support our Service Partners (clients) struggling with thoughts of suicide. A common myth is that asking someone if they feel suicidal will encourage attempts. In reality, by recognizing the warning signs, fostering open communication and ensuring access to resources, we can significantly reduce the likelihood of suicide.

The first step to suicide prevention is awareness. According to CDC data and local statistics from the County of San Diego, suicide is the second leading cause of death for youth ages 10-14 and the third for ages 15-24. Despite these concerning statistics, we are hopeful that we can intervene because 90 percent of those who die by suicide show warning signs and 70 percent will tell someone that they are thinking about suicide.

It is crucial to understand the factors that can lead someone to think of suicide as an option and to recognize the warning signs. When depression and other mental illnesses are left untreated, they can become significant risk factors for suicide. Warning signs may look different from person to person.

The image above is a helpful guide to spotting the most common and high-risk warning signs for depression. If you notice these or other warning signs for longer than two weeks, let them know that you are concerned. Be specific with what you have noticed and ask directly if they are thinking about suicide.