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When I heard that Kate Spade committed suicide, I wondered why. Here is a mother who appeared to have everything and yet she ended her life. Could it have been prevented?  September 8^th -14^th is National Suicide Prevention Week and September 10^th is World Suicide Prevention Day.

• Suicide is the 10^th leading cause of death in the United States. It is the 2^nd leading cause of death for ages 14 – 34 and the 4^th leading cause of death for ages 35 – 54.
• In 2017, 47, 173 Americans died by suicide. On average, there are 129 suicides per day in the United States. 1.4 million Americans attempted suicide.
• 90% of those who died by suicide had a diagnosable mental health condition at the time of their death.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that around 800,000 people around the globe die from suicide every year, for an average of one person every 40 seconds.

According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – there is no single cause of suicide. It most often occurs when stressors exceed current coping abilities of someone suffering from a mental health condition.

What can you do?  Each Mind Matters: California’s Mental Health Movement has the Know the Signs (KTS) campaign. The campaign encourages us to know the warning signs of suicide, find the words to offer support to someone, and reach out to local resources.

Know the warning signs – Pain is not always obvious.  Signs include:

• Talking about death or suicide
• Seeking methods for self harm, such as searching online or obtaining a gun
• Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
• Sudden mood changes
• No sense of purpose
• Increased alcohol or drug use
• Changes in sleep

Find the words –  have resources available.

• Start the conversation – plan the conversation for a time when you will not be in a hurry and can spend time with the person.
• Listen, express concern , reassure
• Create a safety plan
• Get help
• Please click here to find out what not to say.

Reach out – You are not alone in helping someone in crisis.

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-8255
• Crisis Text line – Text “EMM” to 741741 to text confidentially with a trained crisis counselor for free, 24/7.