Behind injuries and homicides, suicide is the third leading cause of death in the United States for people between the ages of 15-24 according to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention. A study done by the American Foundation for suicide prevention showed that in 2013 the suicide rate for people aged 15-24 was 10.9% and has continued to rise. This number does not include attempts or people who have had thoughts about suicide. These are not just numbers or statistics, these are actual people that had families, went to school, and had things they cared about. These are also the people that have gone through hardships and do not know how to cope.

Not only are suicides happening around the country, they are also happening here in Lincoln. According to the Lincoln Journal Star, in 2014 there were 14 Nebraskans aged 12 to 19 that committed suicide, which has doubled from previous years, there have also been 66 different attempts between the ages of 13 and 19. Just this year in Lincoln nine kids between the ages of 13-23 have died from suicide. In an anonymous random survey given to 135 students at Northeast, 39% of our students have had thoughts of suicide and over 75% know someone else who has had thoughts about it.

Suicide should not be in our thoughts or a fix all for life’s problems. There are many different people who are here to help when needed, such as,  teachers, counselors, and friends. Some signs to look out for are an individual talking about suicide, death, or “going away”, drifting away from his or her friends, not wanting to go out as much, changes in eating or sleeping patterns, mood swings, having troubles concentrating, and self destruction.

In the survey, Northeast students were asked how they would help someone that came to them with thoughts of suicide. After reading through all 135 answers, it was evident that the majority of students would listen and try to help, but students failed to note that they would follow up by telling an adult. Some students even went as far as stating they had no idea what to do in a situation like that. A few individuals had the misconceptions that if you just stay up and talk to them one night, the feeling will go away. The depression that causes these negative thoughts will not go away in a night.

A couple of phrases to avoid are things like “you need help”, “we will get you help”, “you need to chill out”, or “it’s not that big of deal”. These phrases could make them feel worse about the situation. The most recommended method to help someone get through suicidal thoughts is listening. Being a good listener is key in making people feel welcome to talk about their problems. But, you then should follow up with a trusted adult or someone that would be able to make a difference in the person’s life. LPS staff are currently going through an online training course called Kognito where they are learning how to spot if a student’s behavior or physical appearance is a sign of psychological distress, and how to recommend health support.

With fall and winter just around the corner, seasonal depression is going to start to set in, which could cause a rise in suicidal thoughts. This means everyone should keep a close eye on their loved ones. If you are worried about yourself or someone you know please do not hesitate to talk to a trusted adult or take advantage of the suicide hotline at 1-800-273-8255.