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WellLife Network Suicide Prevention, Intervention and Postvention Survey
Suicide rates in America were continuing to increase at alarming rates even before COVID-19. However, the economic and sociopolitical landscape as well as the increased turmoil, stress due to uncertainty, and disruption in people’s lives since COVID-19 has caused tragic changes in the lives of...
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Suicide Prevention in Institutional and Geographical Context: Perspectives from a University Student and Professor
Suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students. According to a 2017 American College Health Association survey, over half of college students feel hopeless, almost two-thirds overwhelming anxiety, and over one in ten have seriously considered suicide. Among those who receive...
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Preventing Suicide Among Suicide Attempt Survivors Using an Innovative Support Group Intervention
Despite ongoing prevention efforts, suicide remains a public health crisis, with reports showing an alarming increase in suicide rates over the past decade in the United States (Hedegaard, Curtin, Warner, 2018). From 1999 to 2017, the age-adjusted suicide rate increased by 33%. In 2018, suicide was...
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In the Shadow of the Pandemic: The Suicide Crisis in America
The pandemic, overdue confrontations of racism, and fears about the outcome of the 2020 election have diminished America’s alarm about rising drug overdose and suicide rates. But these epidemics continue, albeit in the shadow of COVID-19. This fall 2020 issue of Behavioral Health News is...
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The NYSPA Report: Veteran Suicide – The Challenging Epidemic
While COVID-19 information dominates the news cycles, another epidemic lurks in the shadows - suicide. Death by suicide is a shocking and disturbing event, increasing in number despite nationwide efforts and attention. While humans are the only species known to take their own life, there is growing...
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Suicide Prevention in New York State: We Can Make a Difference But We Need All Hands on Deck!
Suicide is a public health crisis that demands our collective attention. Over the past two decades, while we have seen major forms of mortality like heart disease, stroke, and cancer decline, suicide rates have steadily increased both in the United States and New York State (NYS). Since 2000 the...
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Preventing Suicide During the Pandemic
This article is part of a quarterly series giving voice to the perspectives of individuals with lived experiences as they share their opinions on a particular topic. The author is served by Services for the UnderServed (S:US), a New York City-based nonprofit that is committed to giving every New...
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Suicide Prevention in New York State Schools: Hope and Resilience Among Urban, Suburban, and Rural Districts
New York is a geographically, politically, and culturally diverse state, with nearly 700 school districts serving more than 2.7 million students. Large or small, urban or rural, wealthy or poor, suicide and serious suicidal behavior is a growing concern. Although New York has one of the lowest...
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Socially Connected, Physically Distanced: How to Be There for Someone Experiencing Suicidal or Emotional Crisis During COVID-19
While everyone is feeling challenged during COVID-19, it can be particularly difficult for those with existing mental health conditions or people who feel particularly lonely or isolated due to COVID-19. “Social distancing” recommendations, concerns about their own health and the health of...
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Clergy and Faith Communities Perspective and Role in Suicide Prevention
At a time when the suicide rates continue to increase and more lives are lost every day, it is prudent to create more awareness among the many gatekeepers and stakeholders in the community. One of the more prominent among them are CLERGY and the many different communities they serve–focusing on...
