Thinking of suicide? You’re not alone and help is available

While suicide is a topic that few people are comfortable talking about, it is something that is a problem in Kentucky and elsewhere.

In Kentucky, one person dies every 11 hours from suicide. It is the second leading cause of death in people ages 15-34, and the fourth leading cause of death in people ages 35-54. Suicide enters the top 10 leading causes of death starting at age 10.

According to the Kentucky Youth Risk Behavior Survey released in September 2021, 15 percent of Kentucky high school students reported having seriously considered suicide during the previous year. In addition, 17.4 percent of Kentucky middle school students, or nearly 1 in 5, reported that they had seriously considered taking their own life at some point.

Help is available.

In July, 988 became a national suicide prevention crisis hotline number that people can call 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.

There are other resources available for people needing help.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which is 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org.

Help is also available by texting the word “home” to 741741. Help via chatting through text is available 24/7 at that number.

Below are some links to resources you can seek if you or someone you care about needs help.

• Zero Suicide in Healthcare and Behavioral Healthcare – www.zerosuicide.org.
• Suicide Prevention Resource Center – www.sprc.org.
• National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention – http://actionallianceforsuicideprevention.org.
• American Association of Suicidology – www.suicidology.org.
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – www.afsp.org.
• National Council for Behavioral Health – http://www.thenationalcouncil.org.