National Suicide Prevention Month

National Suicide Prevention Month is acknowledged each September in both the United States and Jamiaca. Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States, with the CDC reporting that in 2023 over 49,000 people died by suicide. In addition many more people think about attempting suicide each year. In 2023, 12.8 million people seriously considered attempting suicide, 3.7 million people created a plan, and 1.5 million people attempted suicide (CDC, 2025). The World Health Organization collects data from each country on how many people die from suicide each year. In 2021, The WHO (2024) found that for every 100,000 people 15.6 people in the United States and 1.7 people in Jamaica died from suicide. Although, suicide is not as prevalent in Jamaica it is still a concern that needs to be addressed. These numbers are very alarming and show just how prevalent suicide is. 

I was about 13 years old the first time I remember hearing the word suicide and learning what it was. I was an avid reader and had picked up a book called ‘Thirteen Reasons Why’ by: Jay Asher. If you have not read this book here is a quick recap, the book centers around a teenaged girl named Hannah who has sadly died by suicide. However, before she died, she recorded thirteen cassette tapes each with one reason on why she decided to take her own life. She then mailed the tapes to the person that was the result of her first reason. The tapes came with a very specific set of instructions to listen to all the tapes in their entirety before passing them on to the next person listed on the tapes. If any person failed to follow the instructions, Hannah had left a second set of the tapes with a trusted friend who was tasked to release them publicly. As you read through the book, and find out what more of the tapes said, they unravel more of her reasons, and learn that people only received the tapes if they were listed in one of the tapes as one of her reasons why. Each tape explained how Hannah’s interactions with others added another layer onto why she died by suicide showing how important it is to be mindful of how we treat others. 

If you have read it, you know this book has a powerful message. I had not learned about suicide or mental health in school prior to reading this book. It left me feeling surprised and sad, not just for Hannah, but everyone affected by her death. It really puts into perspective the reasons why someone might decide to take their own life. The reason might be considered small for someone, but to someone else it might be a huge problem that they can’t see another way around. Or for some, like Hannah, maybe it was many reasons that built up over time leaving them feeling stuck. 

This is the reality that in 2023, 12.8 million people were living in. Chances are with a number that big we all know someone who has or currently is struggling with their mental health. It is up to us to be the ones to help them find their way out of the darkness. We need to check in with one another, and not just at the surface level. We need to push past the “I’m fine” or “Everything is alright” and see what might actually be lying underneath these blanket statements. Really listening and being there for a friend could be the difference between those who are considering suicide and those who actually die by suicide . So I urge you all to check in with your family and friends, and even those acquaintances or coworkers that look like they could use someone to talk to. You never know what difference it can make. 

References:

Asher, J. (2007). Th1rteen r3easons why. Razorbill. 

 U.S. Centers for Disease  Control and Prevention (CDC). (2025, March 26). Suicide 

data and statistics. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/facts/data.html 

World Health Organization (WHO). (2024, January 8). Suicide mortality rate (per 100 

000 population). World Health Organization. https://data.who.int/indicators/i/F08B4FD/16BBF41?m49=388