Suicide can be a stigmatized and taboo topic, but at Sunstone we believe raising awareness can save lives.
Suicidal thoughts can affect anyone regardless of age, race, gender or background, and suicide is the second leading cause of death for individuals between 10 and 35 years old.
If someone you love talks about suicide, or you’re experiencing thoughts of dying, please know you are not alone.
We have a team of dedicated counselors to support those facing thoughts of suicide, and those who have lost loved ones to suicide.
Our counselors are trained in CAMS (Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality), an evidence-based, collaborative framework where counselors and clients work together to treat suicide risk. CAMS is a warm and collaborative approach that helps clients discover a life worth living.
If you or someone you know is in a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Why It’s Important to Talk About Suicide
Suicide was among the top nine leading causes of death in 2020 in the U.S., so it’s critical that we talk openly about it to help those impacted by suicide, and to prevent future incidents. Since everyone processes emotions and situations differently, the ways in which suicidal thoughts show up in a person can vary greatly. Being able to spot some of the ways that suicidal thoughts present themselves is the first step in prevention and getting a loved one the help they need.
Sunstone Applauds Launch of 988 Hotline for Mental Health Emergencies
We applaud the nationwide launch of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Hotline on July 16. 988 has been designated as the simplified three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, connecting callers to trained counselors 24/7 for free. While 988 is not a new number, it was previously only accessible in certain parts of the U.S., so this marks the first time it will be available nationwide.
6 Signs Your Teen May Be Depressed
As teens struggle through the tough transition period of childhood into young adulthood, it can be difficult to decipher a teen’s behavior. Are their out-of-control emotions and conduct a result of the natural process of adolescence, or is it something more serious?
Statistics and Resources
Source: National Alliance on Mental Illness / Data from CDC, NIMH and other select sources
Individual Impact:
- 79% of all people who die by suicide are male.
- Although more women than men attempt suicide, men are 4x more likely to die by suicide.
- Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10–14 and the 3rd leading cause of death among people aged 15-24 in the U.S.
- Suicide is the 12th leading cause of death overall in the U.S.
- 46% of people who die by suicide had a diagnosed mental health condition – but research shows that 90% may have experienced symptoms of a mental health condition.
Community Impact:
- Annual prevalence of serious thoughts of suicide, by U.S. demographic group:
- The highest rates of suicide in the U.S. are among American Indian/Alaska Natives followed by non-Hispanic whites.
- Lesbian, gay and bisexual youth are nearly 4x more likely to attempt suicide than straight youth.
- Transgender adults are nearly 9x more likely to attempt suicide than the general population.
- Suicide is the leading cause of death for people held in local jails.
CAMS Care
National Alliance on Mental Illness
American Counseling Association
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
