According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 120-130 adults die by suicide; that is approximately one every 11-12 minutes. In the United States, it is the 10th leading cause of death. Worldwide, suicide is the 17th leading cause of death.
Racism has plagued America for centuries, making it impossible for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) to go about their lives unscathed. It can appear in many forms, and each takes a toll on mental health. The systemic racism in this country has caused disparities proven to affect all aspects of life – income, education, incarceration rates, healthcare access, and more.
In honor of Maternal Mental Health month, Tara Javidan, LCPC, CADC, has written an eye-opening blog post about maternal mental health and her own personal experience of becoming a mother during a pandemic.
The world is experiencing unprecedented times, where personal preferences, our outlets to decompress or express ourselves, and the seemingly normal activities that brought us joy—all have been stripped from us during a wave of uncertainty. The COVID-19 pandemic has hit us all, some harder than others. With uncertainty, comes fear, and with fear, comes feelings of isolation, sadness, frustration, and mental exhaustion.
Sometimes, life can take an unexpected turn and leave you feeling completely helpless, scared, alone, and even suicidal. Acknowledging negative feelings can play a crucial role in preventing suicide. Additionally, knowing how to filter out suicidal thoughts is also one of the most effective ways of suicide prevention.
