The Power of Awareness National Suicide Prevention Week

So let’s talk about the alarming suicide crisis and how raising awareness can prevent more deaths and attempts…

When people talk about suicide, we usually focus on the final act alone, where people take their own lives and eventually pass away.

The truth is beneath the surface, suicide is actually a lot more than just the act of committing it.

Did you know that around 700,000 deaths happen per year, making suicide one of the world’s leading causes of death?

Imagine how many lives we could or could’ve saved, only if we’d start recognizing how serious this is!

We cannot allow the numbers to rise.

Join me as we put this issue at the forefront of people’s minds.

Why you need to check this episode:

• Find out how alarming suicide actually is, based on the World Health Organization’s and Centers for Disease and Prevention’s statistics;
• Recognize the power and importance of talking about the suicide crisis; and
• Understand how there’s more to suicide cases than just the final act of taking one’s life and passing away

“As a healthcare provider, I always say, you are fighting with your patients to get them to the most optimal health as you can. If you’re not arming yourself with the information—the updated and factual research—to help them become the best person that they can be, then you are doing yourselves a disservice.”– Dr. Berry Pierre

Notable Quotes:

“Whenever I talk about a topic, I do love to give numbers, because I think when you give numbers, it gives context and allows people to understand like ‘Hey, this isn’t some rare thing he’s talking about. This is something that affects me kind of through and through.” – Dr. Berry Pierre

“I don’t want people to think that those who want to commit or think about committing suicide are just walking around, sulking. A lot of times, they do a great job in the general public, being able to say and just kind of hide how they’re off.” – Dr. Berry Pierre

“This isn’t a problem that is getting better. This isn’t a problem that is stable. This is a problem that is worsening.” – Dr. Berry Pierre

“We have a problem that is not getting better, and yes, the pandemic definitely played a role. Being on lockdown, being alone, and being with these thoughts, I’m pretty sure it played a role; I’m not going to tell you that it did not. And not to say that we shouldn’t have lockdowns, because that’s another discussion; but it definitely added to a problem that was already there.” – Dr. Berry Pierre

“Whatever the timeframe you need to do it in, it needs to be done. We can’t continue to allow the numbers to continue to rise and us, as a healthcare force, not talk about it.” – Dr. Berry Pierre

“As a healthcare provider, I always say, you are fighting with your patient to get them to the most optimal health as you can. If you’re not arming yourself with the information—the updated and factual research—to help them become the best person that they can be, then you are doing yourselves as a disservice.” – Dr. Berry Pierre

“If you can’t solve their issues or concerns, which again, I don’t suggest you do, recognize that there are people in the back who are willing to help and support you, just like that 988 crisis line.” – Dr. Berry Pierre

If you or someone you care about is experiencing mental health-related distress and needs support, reach out to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline via call, text, or chat at 988lifeline.org. This is completely free and confidential, available 24/7/365.

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Resources:

• Suicide data from CDC
• Suicide data from WHO
• Latest Suicide Data and Change Over the Last Decade