The day was created by both organizations in 2003 to raise awareness about suicide and to reduce the stigma around the activity -- recognizing that suicide is preventable. "It's saying that suicide is real. People are out here who are hurting and who have very deep wounds that are experiencing suicidal ideations," said licensed mental health professional LaKeisha Thomas. "Let's bring awareness to that. That it doesn't have to be something that's swept under the rug. But hey, this is happening. There's support for it. Let's address it."
Thomas owns Renewed Minds Counseling and Therapeutic Services, based in Durham.
"Let's break this stigma around it," said Thomas. "It brings attention to it so that you kind of know what to do if someone is suicidal. But also, you know what to do if you're suicidal. That doesn't mean that you're weak or that you're alone, because there's a whole day for it. So that people are also having similar struggles."
Dr. Ashley Gilmore, of Gilmore Counseling Services, advocates against the phrase "committed suicide" as part of breaking that stigma.
"Because we did not want to stigmatize that death in this manner is bad. It is significant to die in this manner because it meant that someone was struggling internally, that they were not able to say what they needed," Gilmore said. "And so, completion of suicide or by suicide is significant because it does not minimize that this individual died in this capacity."
According to figures, more than 700,000 people die by suicide every year. In fact, the World Health Organization refers to suicide as a "global phenomenon" as more than 70% of global suicides occurred in low- and middle-income countries in 2021.
In the latest findings of the World Health Organization's Suicide Health Report, "Suicide is among the leading causes of death worldwide, with more deaths from suicide than from malaria, HIV/AIDS, breast cancer, or war and homicide."
Possible warning signs include:
- Someone talking about dying, feeling hopeless, or expressing no reason to live
- Giving away valuable possessions or saying goodbye in unexpected ways
- Sleeping too much or sleeping too little
- Increased alcohol use and substance abuse
- Extreme mood swings and/or sudden changes in behavior
- Withdrawing from family and friends
"It is also about equipping people with resources and family members," said Thomas, on how others in someone's network can show support. "Like, hey, I care. Let me help you access these resources or reach out to you."
Gilmore noted that Black men die by suicide at a rate 4 times higher than Black women.
"I think mental health can be deemed problematic, especially for men in general, but more specifically for Black men," Gilmore said. "Black men are taught that they are not able to share their emotions or to cry. They're considered strong. And I think because they are Black men, they can be isolated."
If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of self-harm, trained mental health professionals can be reached by texting or calling 988.