By Trish Svoboda
September is National Suicide Awareness Month, and September 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day. World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD), created in 2003 by the International Association for Suicide Prevention and the World Health Organization (WHO), is observed annually on September 10. Its goal is to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and promote the message that suicide is preventable.
According to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, 6,051 suicides occurred in Kansas between the years 2011 and 2022. Of those, 4,845 were male, and 1,206 female, with the majority of suicides occurring in people aged 25-34 years old. From 2011-2022 the suicide death rate increased by 51.4%.
A key component in preventing suicide is recognizing the warning signs. The Central Kansas Mental Health Center (CKMHC) shares information on how to understand the warning signs, which include:
- Talking about wanting to die or expressing feelings of hopelessness
- Withdrawing from friends, family, and activities
- Displaying extreme mood swings or sudden changes in behavior
- Increased use of alcohol or drugs
- Engaging in risky or self-destructive behavior
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, help is available. Contact CKMHC 24/7 crisis services at 785-823-6322. You can also call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, for immediate support anytime, anywhere.
These crisis and support hotlines are also available:
- Farm Aid Hotline: Call 1-800-FARM-AID (1-800-327-6243) for assistance with farm-related financial, legal, and crisis support.
- Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988 and press 1 to connect with a trained responder for veteran-specific crisis support.
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: Call 1-800-799-SAFE (1-800-799-7233) or text “START” to 88788 for confidential support and resources for those affected by domestic violence.
- The Trevor Project: Call 1-866-488-7386, text “START” to 678678, or chat online at thetrevorproject.org for LGBTQ+ youth in crisis.
- Crisis Text Line: Text HELLO to 741741 for free, 24/7 crisis support via text messaging.
