September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month – a time for mental health advocates, prevention organizations, survivors, allies and community members to unite to promote suicide prevention awareness.This year, the Alaska Department of Health (DOH), along with their suicide prevention partners will be raising awareness of 988, the new dialing code that connects people experiencing thoughts of suicide, mental health or substance abuse crisis and/or emotional distress with highly trained and compassionate call center professionals through the 988 and Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

Alaska’s suicide rate remains among the highest in the country — around 30 deaths per 100,000 people. Adults aged 20-24 account for nearly 50% of all suicides in Alaska, according to data from Alaska Health Analytics and Vital Records report last updated in September, 2020. In the same report, the suicide rate for Alaska Natives has lingered above 40% since 2015, with a notable increase in 2019, at 67%.

Many factors, including trauma and abuse, grief and loss, sleep deprivation, substance abuse, easy gun access, and increasing use of electronics displacing traditional activities, may contribute to Alaska’s and the nation’s current epidemic of suicide. One’s mental health is often cited as a contributing factor to suicide.

Connection in community is necessary for mental health. There are biological factors to take in account for lack of connection. The vast size of Alaska, the separation from the lower 48, and darkness that lingers in the winter months all play into the disconnect in Alaska. However, depression is often the result over time of disconnection from people, place, or both. Other environmental risk factors for depression, such as loss of a loved one whether by death, illness, or separation; a change in job or financial circumstances; a major move, may also contribute to depression. Suicidal thinking and behavior can represent the lowest point of depression, leading to thinking that may become distorted over a long period.

Depression and suicide does not discriminate, affecting people of all ages and populations, and Alaska has several populations that can be at risk for suicide and mental health crisis. The Alaskan Native populations are often at a higher risk due to historical trauma, adverse childhood experiences, and lack of connection to necessary resources. Other factors that may contribute to suicide among the Alaskan Native people include loss of land, forced removal from ancestral lands; there are also instances of ongoing poverty in the community, and higher levels of alcohol and substance use.

Veterans and active duty military members are also at risk, as those that serve or who have served, crises can be heightened by their experiences during military service. The suicide rate for veterans is 1.5 times higher than that of the general population. Suicide rates are especially high among older veterans. According the Veterans Affairs (VA), in 2016, about 58% of all veterans committed suicide were among Veterans age 55 years or older. Alaska has the highest number of veterans per capita than any other state, which may contribute to Alaska’s high suicide rates.

In a summary of multiple studies, the VA found a variety of factors that may increase the risk of suicide, especially where multiple factors exist, some of these include acute psychosocial stressors, higher doses of opioid medications for pain control, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and traumatic brain injury (TBI).

According to the DOH, a growing number of people of all ages nationwide and in Alaska are experiencing mental health challenges for multiple reasons, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Work is being done to reduce and remove the stigma related to mental health illness, and mental health wellness, resulting in more people than ever reaching out for help. Since July 1, when the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline transitioned to 988, Alaska has observed a 22% increase in call volume. Careline is the Lifeline member in Alaska that answers 988 calls.

There will be a number of Alaska activities for Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and Suicide Prevention Week to include the Out of Darkness Anchorage Walk at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 10, at Cuddy Family Midtown Park. The event unites our communities and provides an opportunity to acknowledge the ways in which suicide and mental health conditions have affected our lives and the lives of those we love and care about. Media members are encouraged to attend. Please contact Dustin Morris at dmorris@afsp.org.

The Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) is also inviting all Alaskans during September to join in wellness activities that focus on self-care, creating connections to improve your overall mental health, and how to help yourself and others who may be having thoughts of suicide and experiencing a mental health crisis. More information can be found on ANTHC’s Facebook, and at anthc.org.

The DOH announced on Wednesday that the Division of Behavioral Health has been awarded the federal Garrett Lee Smith State/Tribal Youth Suicide Prevention and Early Intervention grant, which will provide $3.6 million over the next 5 years. The grant, “Strengthening Pathways to Care for Alaska’s Youth,” is intended to help prevent suicide and suicide attempts among Alaska’s youth and young adults, ages 10-24.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org. Or contact the Alaska Careline at 877-266-HELP.