Latest Statistics & Resources Available
Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the United States. Yet, a recent poll conducted by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and other leading suicide prevention organizations*, found that a majority respondents feel that suicide can be prevented, and everyone has a role to play from individuals to workplaces and even entertainment. And while respondents feel actions can be taken to reduce the number of those who die by suicide, many are unsure exactly how to help. And for those who are struggling, some feel that there are barriers between them and the help that they need, even as people say they are more willing to talk about their own suicidal ideation than ever before.
In this interview, Dr. Jill Harkavy-Friedman from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention will talk more about this recent survey and what it uncovered about the general attitudes U.S. adults have about suicide. She’ll also discuss the attitudes on mental health in this country and share resources available, like 988, to assist those in need. For the full results visit suicideprevention.org.
Some findings from the 2024 Public Perception of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Poll:
• Two years into 988, nearly two thirds of adults (63%) have at least heard of 988, but only a third (33%) say they are familiar. There are still barriers to individuals reaching out to 988 and crisis services, including financial concerns and fear of what family and others would think, a concern amongst most racial groups.
• Most adults feel like mental and physical health are equally important, but they are not treated equally within our current healthcare system, with affordability cited as a top barrier to care.
• Most adults (93%) would take action to help someone struggling with thoughts of suicide and would want to learn more on how to help/overcome barriers to offering that help (77%). Most adults would also tell someone if they were having thoughts of suicide (82% in 2024 vs. 73% in 2020).
• Nearly all (9 out of 10) feel that suicide can be prevented and that there are actions that can be taken to reduce the number of those who die by suicide.
• Three in five adults (61%) know someone who has thought about, attempted or died by suicide, with American Indian/Alaska Natives showing the most elevated experiences across racial groups (77% vs. 66% Hispanic, 62% white, 55% Black, and 50% Asian).
Jill Harkavy-Friedman, Ph.D., is the Senior Vice President of Research and leads the research program at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), the largest private funder of suicide prevention research in the world. Through her leadership, AFSP funds research grants, offers workshops and training to researchers and disseminates research findings to increase public awareness and support advocacy. During her 35 years as a clinician and researcher, Harkavy-Friedman, has published over 100 peer-reviewed articles and trained clinicians nationwide.
Dr. Jill Harkavy-Friedman, Senior Vice President of Research
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
http://www.AFSP.org
http://www.SuicidePreventionNow.org
WHHI Daily News Anchor: Ally McNair
October 2024
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