Suicide Prevention Month

September is Suicide Prevention Month, which is part of a mental health campaign that’s been going on for years. While it’s important to address these issues throughout the year, the month looks to bring as much awareness to the topic as possible, as well as to highlight issues and resources surrounding it.

Despite how important the topic is, it’s still something many people don’t know a lot about. While they’ll know what the term itself means, that’s about all they’ll know. That’s why Suicide Prevention Month was originally started, as well as why it continues to be important to this day.

With the awareness campaign now upon us, it’s worth diving into some key facts about suicide, why the campaign was first started, and anything else you might want to know. How substance abuse plays a role in this could be one of the more overlooked parts, making it equally important to understand.

Let’s dive into what suicide prevention is, who it’s for, and why you should care about it.

What Is Suicide Prevention Month & Who Is It For?

So, what actually is Suicide Prevention Month? In short, it’s an awareness campaign designed to help people understand what causes suicide and what may play a role in it. Mental health issues are usually at the forefront of this, but it’s far from the only one.

In contrast, substance abuse and many other factors can play a role in suicide. The problem is, many don’t realize this. That’s why Suicide Prevention Month was first created. By keeping people informed, they’re better able to recognize the signs that someone might be at risk of suicide.

While it’s predominantly for people at risk of losing a loved one through suicide, it’s geared toward helping anyone get informed, regardless of their background or history.

Relationship Between Drug Use & Suicide

Many variables can lead to suicide, with most relating to mood disorders like depression and bipolar disorder. These are far from the only factors involved in the leadup to suicide. As a part of Suicide Prevention Month, it’s worth focusing on some of the more common issues.

Substance abuse is one of the more notable causes of suicide. Countless people experiencing mood disorders often find themselves abusing various drugs, oftentimes becoming dependent on them. In time, this leads to their mood disorder becoming increasingly worse. That could lead to them feeling progressively unhealthy while developing suicidal ideologies.

If left untreated, this can lead to further substance abuse as a means to commit suicide. Fentanyl and pills are two of the more notable drug uses linked to a substantial number of suicides. In fact, the number of people who abuse drugs and then try to commit suicide has risen sharply across all age demographics.

In the United States, for example, approximately 92,000 people die from overdoses every year. Conservative estimates suggest between 5% and 7% of these are intentional. If you’ve found yourself abusing and relying on any kind of drugs to try to feel better, you might need help addressing the root problem and its symptoms.

At Jackson House, we specialize in addiction treatment and dual diagnosis treatment. Whether you’ve got a mood disorder and a substance abuse disorder or just one of them, we’re here to help. But first, it’s worth looking at the rise of fentanyl and pill abuse, and how these can relate to increased suicide rates.

Fentanyl

Fentanyl awareness day recently took place, with the drug being one of the more dangerous options on the black market. On top of intentional overdoses, accidental overdoses are quite common. While a fraction of these are done when someone knows they’re taking fentanyl, quite a few people believe they’re taking something else.

Even those who know what they’re taking fail to see how much of an impact it has on their physical and mental health. In time, these get progressively worse, with the anesthetic being extremely addictive and potent. It poisons the body, and users get hooked easier than they do with other drugs.

Because of how potent it is, it’s one of the easier drugs to overdose on, explaining why so many people use this as a means of committing suicide.

Pills

Pills come in all forms, with many of these being legally prescribed medications. While these are usually safe, those that develop habits of dependency become increasingly reliant upon them. Usually, someone can become reliant on painkillers and similar pills, but it’s possible to start abusing almost any type of pill.

This normally starts with a person taking the prescribed dosage for a short while. Over time, their body becomes increasingly numb to the effects of the drugs they’re taking, which leads to them being trapped in a vicious cycle.

Despite this, overdosing on pills is a relatively common way for someone to commit suicide. With increased regulation, more information during Suicide Prevention Month, and similar strategies, people can be much more informed about the dangers associated with taking them, even if they’re prescribed.

Get The Help You Need

Suicide Prevention Month has become increasingly important in recent years. Suicide rates continue to grow, with much of this being because of increased mental health disorders. Substance abuse has also played a role in this, with this often being a co-occurring condition with mental health problems.

You could find yourself experiencing both, but they’re not things you’ll need to go through for long. You deserve the help you need, and Jackson House is here to provide that. Not only do we help with substance abuse treatment, but we’re also focused on dual diagnoses.

Whether it’s anxiety, depression, or another mood disorder, Jackson House’s team of professionals is at your beck and call. You’ll get the treatment and support you need without any judgment. If you want your next chance at a life free from addiction, get in touch today.