FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — September is Suicide Awareness Month, drawing attention to a mental health crisis affecting young people across the United States. Suicide remains the second-leading cause of death for people ages 10 to 24, and mental health experts say early intervention and open conversations can play a critical role in prevention.
Data reports many young people are struggling with suicidal thoughts. Mental Health America studied more than 97,000 U.S. youth under 18 who completed a depression screening on its website last year and found that 51% reported frequent suicidal ideation.
Gianna Merriam, a licensed clinical social worker with Kaiser Permanente in Fresno, said ongoing stressors continue to affect young people’s mental health.
“It’s the trickle down from the pandemic to now with all the additional stressors that we are experiencing,” Merriam said.
Merriam said some of the most effective tools for suicide prevention include compassionate conversations, early intervention and reducing stigma surrounding mental health.
She said warning signs can include behavioral changes, increased substance use, feelings of hopelessness and feeling like a burden to others.
“One big one is also socially isolating, sleeping a lot and not taking care of yourself. So they may appear disheveled or not taking showers as much as they used to,” Merriam said.
When discussing concerns about suicide, Merriam said asking direct questions can help create an opportunity to connect someone with support.
“We do not want to skirt around the question like, are you thinking about hurting yourself? Hurting yourself can have many more meanings when we want to definitely figure out whether or not suicide is there. We need to ask, Are you thinking about suicide?” Merriam said.
Merriam emphasized the importance of seeking help and staying connected with others. “Fresno County has an access line and we have the Cal Hope line for all the state of California,” Merriam said.
People experiencing a crisis or suicidal thoughts can call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which is available 24 hours a day. Veterans can also access support through the Veterans Crisis Line by dialing 988 and pressing 1.
Locally, the Central Valley Suicide Prevention Hotline provides free and confidential support 24 hours a day for people in crisis. The Fresno-based hotline serves Fresno, Kings, Tulare, Madera, Merced, Mariposa and Stanislaus counties.
Merriam said awareness campaigns and open conversations can help reduce stigma and make it easier for people to seek care.
“And if we’re talking more about it, we’re actually creating a safer place for people to feel comfortable to even bring it up in the first place,” Merriam said.
She encouraged people to think about mental health in the same way they think about physical health when seeking treatment.
“When we’re talking about mental health, we can consider it like physical health. If you have a broken leg, you’re going to go get that pain managed and get it treated. Same thing with suicidal thoughts. Suicidal thoughts are a symptom of extreme emotional distress, and that is something that we need to remember,” Merriam said.
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