Suicide awareness

Every 15.8 minutes, someone dies by suicide in the U.S. In any given month, 5 to 6 percent of the population is thinking of suicide.

Indiana ranks 21st in the nation for its suicide rate of 13.1 people per 100,000 dying by suicide each year.

Suicide is a public health problem that is preventable. Most people who die by suicide do not want to die; rather, they want to relieve their pain, or “psychache,” that they are experiencing but feel hopeless about doing so. 

Learn to recognize the warning signs of suicide. In 2-3 hours people can learn how to recognize the warning signs, approach someone exhibiting them, and refer them to help. If you suspect someone you know is depressed and could be suicidal, approach that person. Talk openly about depression and suicide and ask directly about whether the person in distress is thinking about suicide.