Sunday, September 13, 2020 - September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month - St. Austin Catholic Parish

Suicide is a public health crisis that's only gotten worse with the COVID-19 pandemic. Every September we observe Suicide Prevention Awareness Month with September 10th designated as World Suicide Prevention Day.

11% of American adults reported seriously considering suicide in June, about double the percentage who did so last summer, a new CDC report finds.
Rates of suicidal ideation ranked highest among 18- to 24-year-olds (25%) and unpaid caregivers for adults (30%).
The report also found that the prevalence of symptoms of depression and anxiety quadrupled and tripled, respectively, compared to last year.
Anxiety and substance abuse spiked more than 40 percent among those who said they had suffered a mental or behavioral health condition as a direct result of the coronavirus response. More than 30 percent of those surveyed between June 24-30 reported symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Read the Suicide Risk Assessment Card as well as the Mental Health Conversation Card. Bookmark both pages for quick access and save the Suicide Prevention Lifeline number (1-800-273-8255) in your cell phone.
Join NAMI Central Texas for their Suicide is Preventable, a Mind Matters Webinar, on Thursday, Sept. 17 at 11am. Lisa Sullivan, Director of the Texas Suicide Prevention Collaborative will share the risk factors, warning signs, and early prevention actionis that can save lives.
Check out NAMI Central Texas for their support and education programs as well as other local resources.
Visit NAMI Texas' public policy page on Suicide Prevention and Public Safety. They will have more on their policy priorities for the upcoming Texas legislative session in early November.
Watch a brief (2 minute) video by parishioner and NAMI Central Texas Exective Director Karen Ranus on ~

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