{"id":148345,"date":"2021-09-20T16:22:52","date_gmt":"2021-09-21T02:22:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=148345"},"modified":"2021-09-20T16:22:52","modified_gmt":"2021-09-21T02:22:52","slug":"national-suicide-prevention-month","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2021\/09\/20\/national-suicide-prevention-month\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Hope through action,’ September is national suicide prevention month"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
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(Photo courtesy: Deborah Goebert)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span>, one death from suicide occurs nearly every other day. Suicide is the leading cause of fatal injuries for those ages 15 to 64 and is the 10th leading cause of all deaths in the state. Suicide can have lasting harmful effects on individuals, families and communities. To call attention to this important issue, events are being held statewide throughout September for National Suicide Prevention Month. This year\u2019s theme is “Hope Through Action.”<\/p>\n

“Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> has identified suicide prevention as a priority and set a bold goal of reducing suicidality 25% by 2025 though hope, help and healing efforts,” said Deborah Goebert<\/strong>, professor and associate director of research in psychiatry at the University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> at M\u0101noa John A. Burns School of Medicine<\/a> (JABSOM<\/abbr>). “Suicide prevention is a priority at JABSOM<\/abbr>.” <\/p>\n

Goebert is co-chair of the state\u2019s Prevent Suicide Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Task Force. She said, “Hope includes building our strengths, self-care and resilience; help is having real conversations about mental health and suicide and connecting to support; healing includes the grief process, forgiveness and passing life forward.”<\/p>\n

She encourages people to take time to learn more about suicide. \u201c“Throughout the pandemic, levels of isolation and loss, distress, grief and anxiety have risen, and Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> has seen increased usage of crisis phone and text lines as well as mental health services. There are a number of awareness opportunities this month across the state.”<\/p>\n

Join the virtual walk, attend an educational event or practice self-care.<\/p>\n

Events<\/h2>\n