Paradigm Supports National Suicide Prevention Day

September 10^th marks one of the most important annual awareness days.  Suicide has become the 3^rd leading cause of death among adolescents and the sixth leading cause of death for latency-aged children.  In fact, the World Health Organization estimates that, worldwide, there is a suicide attempt once every two seconds and a death by suicide every 40 seconds.  Suicide rates for teens in the United States have increased by more than 25% in the last 5 years alone.  Anxiety, depression, trauma and substance use continue to be prolific risk factors for adolescents contemplating suicide, yet resources, ongoing dialogue and access to care is disproportionally small for this worldwide health crisis.

In an effort to promote awareness and education around adolescent suicide, Paradigm Treatment conducted a number of workshops in local high schools specifically targeting teen suicide prevention.   For National Suicide Prevention Day, Paradigm Treatment and Paradigm Treatment invite the professional and academic communities to join us on September 10^th in shedding light, promoting awareness and supporting adolescents by sharing resources and talking to families about teen suicide.  By lighting a candle at 8PM on September 10^th and posting an image on your social media outlets, we invite you to join us in showing your support for suicide prevention and shedding light on an epidemic that will claim the lives of 800,000 people this year.

For more information on helping to bring awareness to suicide prevention, here are some resources for families and adolescents, as well as the treatment community.

Questions that children and adolescents often ask about suicide

Risk factors and signs for suicide

Protective factors and warning signs

Finding support for those affected by suicide or suicidal thoughts

Suicide awareness for the LGBT+ population

Resources for those that have lost a loved one by means of suicide