September Is Suicide Prevention Month
Suicide prevention activist Frederick Lee would like to remind readers that September is suicide prevention month. “As you know Colleen and I are passionate about depression and suicide prevention,” said Lee. “We are reminding everybody that September is suicide prevention month. Please attend a depression/suicide class learn more about the signs and symptoms of depression and suicide. Possibly save a life someday.”
The Lees lost their 13-year-old son Michael to suicide in July 2018.
In 2018, suicide surpassed car accidents as the No. 1 cause of injury- related death in the United States. There has been a 30 percent increase in the number of suicides in the United States since 2001.
Firearms remain the most commonly used suicide method, accounting for 51 percent of all completed suicides, according to the Montana Department of Health and Human Services.
For all age groups, Montana has ranked in the top five for suicide rates in the nation for the past 30 years. Over the past 10 years, suicide is the number two cause of death for children ages 10-14, adolescents ages 15-24 and adults ages 25-44. Suicide is the number one cause of preventable death in Montana for children ages 10-14.
If you are in crisis and want help, call the Montana Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 24/7, at 800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) or text “MT” to 741 741.
The national suicide prevention lifeline is 800-273-8255.
