09/20/2024
Column: How to Be Well: Together, We Can Save Lives
September is Suicide Prevention Month. With the many awareness campaigns out there—highlighting things like recognizing the signs, checking in on those struggling, or sharing resources like the 988 crisis line—it’s easy to think that suicide prevention is an individual issue. And while those personal actions are crucial, what’s often missed in this messaging is the community aspect of suicide prevention.
Did you know that 80% of suicides can be prevented? Or that 71% of suicide attempt survivors report that an hour or less passed between deciding to end their life and taking action?
These statistics tell us a couple of important things. One is that most people experiencing suicidal thoughts are ambivalent about ending their life. Part of them wants to die, but a big part just desperately wants something in their life to change.
So, we have to start asking ourselves, “What might cause someone to reach the point of contemplating ending their life?” While the answer is complex and there’s rarely one reason, suicidal thoughts don’t happen in isolation.
We’re all deeply impacted by the world around us—our relationships, jobs, housing, and finances play a major role in our well-being. When these areas are unstable—when someone’s stressed about paying rent, working in a difficult environment, or feeling deeply isolated—those challenges can make mental health struggles even harder to manage. For some, they may lead to thoughts of suicide.
This is why suicide prevention is something we have to tackle together, as a community. It’s not just about providing mental health care, though that’s certainly vital. We have to address the root causes that lead people to feel overwhelmed or hopeless in the first place.
Advocating for things like affordable housing, livable wages, safe neighborhoods, and access to childcare must be a key part of any suicide prevention plan. These issues can make the difference between someone feeling supported or feeling like they have nowhere to turn.
Another critical part of this is means safety. Since most suicide attempt survivors report such a short time between deciding to end their life and acting on that decision, one of the most effective ways we can prevent suicide is by reducing access to lethal means.
Look, we know this is a tough topic. And the facts are clear—reducing access to firearms and other lethal means can significantly lower suicide rates. In Idaho alone, 84% of firearm deaths in 2022 were suicides, and 64% of all suicides involved firearms.
As national suicide prevention expert Dr. Kent Corso puts it, “You can love guns and love suicide prevention.” This isn’t about taking away firearms; it’s about encouraging safe storage—keeping guns locked up, unloaded, and out of reach for anyone in crisis. By doing this, we create a buffer that can prevent impulsive decisions with devastating consequences.
These steps require all of us. If we shift our mindset from seeing suicide prevention as just an individual responsibility to understanding it as a collective effort, we can build a stronger, more compassionate community. One where people feel safe, supported, and valued long before they ever reach a point of crisis.
So this month, and every month, let’s remember: suicide prevention takes all of us. By creating caring communities, advocating for change, and addressing the deeper issues that lead to despair, we can truly make a difference.
Together, we can save lives.
If you, or someone you know, needs help with their mental health, let us know. We provide free and confidential support, as well as six free counseling sessions to qualified individuals. Call or text 208-354-6198, email info@tetonvalleymentalhealth.com, or find out more on our website TetonValleyMentalHealth.com. Our offices are staffed Monday-Friday from 9 am-4 pm.