Suicide Prevention Month: knowing the warning signs

PALM SPRINGS, CA (KESQ)-- September is National Suicide Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness about suicide and the warning signs that someone may need help.

According to the CDC, someone in the U.S. dies by suicide about every 11 minutes. In 2022, nearly 50,000 Americans died by suicide, and there were about 1.6 million reported suicide attempts.

Recent data also shows the suicide rate among U.S. children ages 8 to 12 has increased over the past decade.

So, what warning signs should people look for?

Silvia Kaminsky, board president of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, says sudden changes in behavior can be a red flag.

That can include someone who is normally kind and even-tempered becoming angry or aggressive, or someone who has been very sad suddenly appearing unusually cheerful. An increase in substance use can also be a warning sign.

Kaminsky says mental illness and substance-use disorders can be factors associated with suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

Suicide is currently the 11th leading cause of death in the United States.

If you or someone you know is struggling or showing signs of suicidal thoughts, help is available by calling or texting 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.