Suicide Awareness 

Michaela Montecalvo, PA-C, CAQ-Psychiatry and CDR Julie Cure, PA-C

Every September, we recognize Suicide Prevention Month—a vital opportunity to raise awareness, provide hope, and address one of the most urgent mental health issues of our time.

Suicide is a significant public health issue and the eleventh leading cause of death overall in the United States, claiming over 49,316 lives in 2023, according to the CDC and AFSP.  Alarmingly, recent data show rising suicide rates in certain populations, emphasizing the urgent need for action, yet too many people remain silent.

As medical and mental health providers, our mission is to ensure that individuals, families, and communities have access to the support, resources, and tools they need. We aim to empower people to talk openly about suicide prevention, identify warning signs, and reach out for help when needed.

Suicide Warning Signs:

• Talking about or making plans for suicide.
• Acting anxious, agitated, or behaving recklessly.
• Talking about being a burden to others.
• Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain.
• Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs.
• Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live.
• Sleeping too little or too much.
• Withdrawing or feeling isolated.
• Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge.
• Displaying extreme mood swings.
• Chronic illness or serious physical health conditions.

Suicide Prevention- If you believe someone may be in danger of suicide:

• Call 911, if danger for self-harm seems imminent.
• Call or text 988to reach the Suicide and Crisis hotline to talk to a professional.
• Ask if they are thinking about killing themselves. This will not put the idea into their head or make it more likely that they will attempt suicide.
• Listen without judging and show you care.
• Stay with the person or ensure they are in a private, secure place with another caring person until you can get further help.
• Remove any objects that could be used in a suicide attempt.

This month, we invite you to start a dialogue that may save a life and break the silence. Sometimes, the simplest act of —a genuine “How are you doing?”—can make all the difference.

A personal perspective by CDR Julie Cure, PA-C.

Clinicians should also consider what happens when a patient completes suicide.  The story doesn’t end when someone dies by suicide. Friends and family must go on and continue to live with their complex grief. When my younger brother died from suicide in 2016, there was a feeling of isolation and not knowing where to turn. Even as a practicing physician assistant of 5 years at that point, I still felt lost. A counselor gave a list of mostly outdated resources and disconnected phone numbers.  I urge other providers to become familiar with active grief support groups in their area for families and friends who have lost someone to suicide. One group that I found on my own was Samaritans. The group works to prevent suicide and support those who have lost someone to suicide. I found the resources and a grief support group through them and am grateful for their ongoing work. I recommend that PAs prepare to support patients who may have lost someone to suicide.

Resources:

NIH Suicide Awareness website

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Suicide Statistics

SAMHSA Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

Samaritans Preventing Suicide

International Association for Suicide Prevention World Suicide Prevention Day 10 September