Maria was worried about John.
After being let go from his job six months earlier, he had becoming increasingly withdrawn and depressed. He stopped applying for new jobs even though he had shared with Maria how difficult things were for him financially. Additionally, he had stopped putting effort into activities that previously were very important to him, no longer attending parish activities. John was no longer talking about things he was looking forward to in the future and seemed hopeless. Maria knew that he was struggling, but she wasn’t sure how to help.
September is Suicide Prevention Month — a time to remember those who tragically lost their lives to despair, as well as to focus on helping those who struggle to face their current challenges. From 2000 to 2020, more than 800,000 people died by suicide in this country. In 2022, nearly 50,000 people took their own lives, which was the highest suicide rate since 1941. Today, suicide is the second highest cause of death for people between the ages of 10 and 34.
The primary factors that can lead to an increased depression, and contemplation of suicide are isolation, loneliness, and despair. As people feel more cut off from friends, family and loved ones, they may feel the acute loss of their support system. In their fear, they can lose sight of God in their life, and despair that things will never change for the better. Whatever the reason, the pressure that the individual may feel becomes so great that they begin to see suicide as a better option. In some cases, the person may see suicide as their only option, if they believe that they do not have the ability to persevere in their current situation.
While the situation may seem bleak and hopeless for some, it is crucial to support those feeling overwhelming despair. We want to be able to be a source of hope to those who are not sure how to continue.
We can work to strengthen our own communities, whether that means our neighborhoods or our parishes. We can make an effort to reach out to those who are isolated, or those who are facing emotional or financial hardships. We can pray for and with those who are despairing. We can show them that they are loved, and that their lives matter.
For those who are considering ending their own lives — you are not alone.
In July 2022, Virginia introduced the 988 hotline. A parallel service to 911, 988 is a calling code for people experiencing mental health crises for themselves or for their loved ones. A person calling 988 will be connected immediately to a trained crisis response worker able to provide free support and guidance. A person considering suicide, or someone with concerns about the wellbeing of a friend or loved one, or an individual in need of immediate emotional support can call 988 at any time to be connected to a vital lifeline.
Since being launched two years ago, 988 has served an average of 10,000 callers in Virginia each month. In June 2024, nearly 13,000 people reached out to 988 in need of emergency mental health services.
It is not just an emergency line, 988 also provides access to additional services in Virginia. These services include access to Mobile Crisis Response, which provides on-site treatment and intervention during a crisis and Crisis Stabilization Units that serve as hospital emergency rooms for individuals experiencing mental health crises.
After reaching out to 988, Maria had a better understanding of how she could approach John. She recognized how she could be a source of hope in the midst of his despair. While she had been concerned that asking John directly if he was considering suicide might plant the thought in his mind or cause him to hurt himself, she understood that being clear and direct in sharing her concerns that John would take his own life was an appropriate way to highlight the seriousness of the situation and the genuineness of her concerns.
If someone is unable to help themselves, we can help them by being with them and encouraging them to speak to a professional, perhaps even offering to call a hotline or counseling service together. We can tell them that we care and stay with them as they take the next step toward getting help.
Dr. Horne is Catholic Charities’ director of clinical services.
