Suicide Awareness and Prevention, Ongoing Education Needed
September was National Suicide Prevention Month. Throughout the month, programs were presented, walks were completed, and the millions of people who have died by suicide were lovingly remembered by the family and friends they left behind. Tragically, now that September is over, people will continue to die by suicide which gives reason for the need to continue awareness and prevention education.
According to the Tennessee Department of Health:
- Suicide is a leading cause of death across the United States and continues to be a growing public health problem in Tennessee.
A fact sheet published by the American Foundation for the Prevention of Suicide with 2022 data, states suicide is the:
- 11th Leading cause of death in Tennessee
- 3rd leading cause of death for ages 10-24
- 2nd leading cause of death for ages 25-34
- 4th leading cause of death for ages 35-44
- 8th leading cause of death for ages 45-54
- 9th leading cause of death for ages 55-64
- 17th leading cause of death for ages 65+
As those rates are staggering, suicide continues to be a topic people only whisper about or do not discuss at all.
“I have been in the mental health field for 25 years and people are still scared of the word suicide,” said Paula Cupples Terry, Chief Nursing Officer with West Tennessee Healthcare. “Suicide is 100 percent preventable!”
Suicide has gained more public attention during recent years with news of celebrity deaths by suicide of people like fashion designer Kate Spade in June 2018, television correspondent and model Cheslie Kryst in January 2022, hip hop dancer and choreographer Stephen “Twitch” Boss in December 2022, and most recently rapper Chino XL in July 2024. Although the average person lives a life far from the glitz and the glamour, that does not make one immune from being touched by suicide. It is real and affects people closer to home than they realize.
“I think people would be generally surprised to learn they actually know someone who has lost a friend or family member to suicide,” said Jennifer Smeltser, who lost her brother, Brandon, in January 2018 on her birthday, and has since become Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) certified. “Before his death, suicide was not a regular topic in any of my conversations. It is not really something I ever thought about. It took me a while after his death to become comfortable talking about suicide. Now, I openly speak about suicide awareness and hope for prevention, and am an advocate for education about both. I do not know if talking to my brother would have made a difference, but at least he may have felt comfortable talking and maybe, he would have sought help. Set embarrassment aside or whatever it is stopping you from discussing suicide. Yes, the conversation is uncomfortable, but it is one that should be had. I encourage people who are struggling with mental health issues to seek care and also for survivors of suicide (family and friends left behind) to seek support if they need it. Help is out there. I hope more people are not scared or ashamed to reach out, and take advantage of the resources that are available.”
It is not always the sad person who is susceptible to suicide. It could be the happiest person you know. It is not always that person who is obviously struggling with various challenges like financial or health issues. It could be someone who is financially secure and from outward appearances has a successful life. Suicide has no respect for person.
“Pain–they want the pain to go away. Like we take a Tylenol for a headache to go away. People get in such a dark hole, and they think the only answer is suicide. To them suicide is the answer to make the pain go away. It is a permanent solution to a temporary problem,” said Ms. Terry, who encourages people to seek help for themselves. “Many people think that if they ignore it, it will pass. Do not ignore it. Help is available and we need to let everyone know this.”
Ms. Terry and Phillip Barham are strong advocates for suicide awareness and prevention. Like Ms. Terry, Mr. Barham has many years of experience in the mental health field. He worked as the marketing director for Lakeside Behavioral Health System, served as chairman for both the Jackson Madison County Anti-Drug Coalition and Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network, was a member on the Governor’s Advisory Council for Suicide Prevention and Awareness, acted as a facilitator and co-leader of a Survivors of Suicide Loss support group, and has worked with families and friends of alcoholics and addicts. They both are from Hardeman County and were involved with the Team Mica Fund while it was an active organization. Mr. Barham, along with Ms. Terry, is a Questions, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Gatekeeper Suicide Prevention Trainer which teaches individuals how to help people who are suicidal, and has trained over 1,000 people.
“We don’t always know what is going on in a person’s life. That’s why it is so important to be prepared. That is why I teach QPR. It helps people know how to ask if someone is suicidal, persuade them not to go through with it, and them to get the help they need. These sessions are taught for free to any organization or group that would like to learn how to help prevent suicide. One of the most astonishing facts to me was that more people die by suicide in Tennessee each year than die in auto accidents,” said Mr. Barham, who does see a bright light in the matter. “It is so rewarding after you have taught people how to help people who are suicidal, and they contact you later to let you know they used what you taught, and it saved someone’s life. And then they were able to get the help they needed.”
Ms. Terry and Mr. Barham often speak at area schools to students and school staff promoting suicide awareness and prevention, sharing tools to identify people in need and how to help them, and encouraging people to seek help for themselves if they are struggling.
“Reach out–not everyone is willing to speak up, but the behavioral signs are there. Know them and watch for them. If you see signs–reach out and talk to the person. Educate the community on the signs and let them know help is available,” said Ms. Terry, who believes education is key to prevention. “Educate staff and students on the signs. Encourage everyone to say something if they see signs. Make sure the students and staff feel comfortable to talk to someone and that they know help is available.”
Parents should not be fearful of talking about suicide with their children, especially if they have concerns about their child’s mental health. Speaking about suicide opens the doors for communication with their child about the subject and hopefully gives the child “permission” or a sense of comfort to seek help if needed. It is important people understand caring for one’s mental health is just as important as caring for one’s physical health.
“Talk to your kids. Do not hesitate to ask for help or to have someone talk to your child. Counselors, church, therapist, etc.,” said Ms. Terry. “Planting a seed of hope prevents suicide. Give Hope–Educate—Speak Up!”
HELP IS AVAILABLE FOR YOU!
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please reach out to someone. You may contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text “TN” to the Crisis Text Line at 741741, or go to 988lifeline.org.
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