Suicidal thoughts, much like mental health conditions, can affect anyone regardless of age, gender or background. In fact, suicide is often the result of an untreated mental health condition. Suicidal thoughts, although common, should not be considered normal and often indicate more serious issues.

Annual prevalence of serious thoughts of suicide, by U.S. demographic group:

• 4.8% of all adults

• 11.8% of young adults aged 18-25

• 18.8% of high school students

• 46.8% of lesbian, gay, and bisexual high school students

• Some of the highest rates of suicide in the U.S. are among American Indian/Alaska Native and non-Hispanic white communities

While some of this seems overwhelming, there is good news. Our unique strengths, our hope, and our connections can serve as protective factors against depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts or behaviors. Other protective factors include Food security, affordable housing, access to healthcare, community engagement activities, financial security, family acceptance of those who identify as LGBTQ.

Below are three RCCS Conversation guides that we can use to awaken hope, remind us of our strengths and think about important connections in our lives.

1. Building a Road to Hope– sometimes hope is hard. This Conversation guide helps us rebuild hope in small but meaningful first steps back to hope and resilience.

2. Strengths Revealers – this Conversation guide helps us to discover our skills and talents and how we use them to help ourselves and others.

3. Meaningful Connections– this Conversation guide helps us visualize what connections are important to us now and in the future.

One Final Reminder:

If you or someone you know is in an emergency, call The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or call 911 immediately.