MESA, Ariz. – Suicide has made its way into the national spotlight twice this week after fashion icon Kate Spade and chef-turned-TV host Anthony Bourdain both were found dead.
Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States and, according to the Centers for Disease Control, the mental health condition is up 25 percent across the country.
“It’s getting worse, more frequent than it was in the past,” said Dr. Carol Olson, the chair of the psychiatry department at Desert Vista Behavior Health.
She said there are signs that someone is having dark thoughts: depression, high anxiety, changes in sleep, loss of appetite, rapid mood swings, lack of interest or pleasure in activities and saying things like, “the world would be better off without me.”
“In addition,” Dr. Olson said, “right before people commit suicide, they are doing things that in retrospect people say, ‘Hey, I should of paid more attention.’ Things like giving cherished possessions away or talking to people they haven’t talked to in a while to kind of say goodbye.”
She added that you should directly ask someone if they are considering suicide, don’t beat around the bush. And if someone needs help, you should be with them when they call a doctor or a hotline for help, because people will still lie or put on masks.
Here are some suicide resources:
SUICIDE PREVENTION LINE
1-800-273-8255
ARIZONA TEEN LIFELINE
602-248-8336
ARIZONA SUICIDE PREVENTION COALITION
480-784-1500