Suicide Prevention Week, September 8-14, increases awareness of the signs and dangers of suicide as a preventable public health issue. The CDC reports that suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the U.S. There are more than 38,000 deaths from suicide in the U.S. annually, more than from motor vehicle accidents.
More than 90 percent of people who die by suicide suffer from depression, substance abuse or another mental health disorder. Prior suicide attempts, a family history of mental disorders or exposure to the suicidal behaviors of others can also increase a woman’s chances of suicidal behavior.
Suicidal and self-harming behavior is complex, and effective treatment options must target the negative thinking patterns that underlie this behavior. Cognitive behavioral therapy has been shown to significantly reduce the rate of repeated suicide attempts by targeting negative thinking patterns and ultimately change both mood and behavior. Brookhaven Retreat also offers dialectical behavior therapy, which is effective at treating borderline personality disorder, self-harming and other mental health conditions. Dialectical behavior therapy utilizes mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation and interpersonal effectiveness skills to teach women to regulate and manage strong emotions.
Brookhaven Retreat believes wellness is possible, but it is critical for women contemplating any form of self-harm to seek help immediately. For many, appropriate treatment is a life or death situation. In September, Brookhaven Retreat observes the tragic suicide statistics in the U.S. and commits itself to changing these numbers one woman at a time.
