Fernandina Beach, FL - Throughout all of September, the Florida Department of Health in Nassau County will be promoting National Suicide Prevention Month. Suicide is one of the top ten leading causes of death in the United States. Therefore, Suicide Prevention Month was created to raise awareness, recognize those affected by suicide, and promote mental health treatment services.

"Suicide is the second leading cause of death for people 10 to 34 years of age, the fourth leading cause among people 35 to 54 years of age, and the eighth leading cause among people 55 to 64 years of age" - Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, 2019

An important part of suicide prevention is knowing the risk factors and warning signs of suicide. Some of the main risk factors include mental disorders, substance abuse disorders, impulsive/aggressive tendencies, history of trauma, major physical illnesses, previous suicide attempts, family history of suicide, job or financial loss, loss of relationship(s), lack of social support, sense of isolation, and stigma associated with asking for help. Some of the warning signs include talking about wanting to die or to kill themselves, looking for ways to kill themselves, talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live, talking about feeling trapped, increasing use of drugs or alcohol, anxiety, sleeping too much or too little, isolating themselves, showing rage, and extreme mood swings.

In the 2019, suicide was the eighth leading cause of death in Nassau County. The Florida Department of Health in Nassau County continues to focus efforts on improving mental health conditions throughout the community by educating individuals in multiple settings on the impact that childhood trauma has on one’s mental health. The department also continues to focus on increasing availability of mental health treatment throughout the community.

Resources one can turn to include local services provided by mental health professionals and the following resources listed below promoted by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. We encourage residents to turn to resources when help is needed.

It's Okay to Ask for Help - Mental Health Resources for yourself and your friends.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255.

Crisis Text Line: Text TALK to 741741 to text with a trained counselor for free.

The Trevor Project: TrevorLifeline: 1-866-488-7386. TrevorText: Text TREVOR to 1-202-304-1200. TrevorChat: Via thetrevorproject.org

RAINN: National Sexual Assault Hotline: Lifeline: 1-800-656-4673. Chat: Via hotline.rainn.org

TWLOHA: Connect to mental health resources in your community. twloha.com/find-help

National Eating Disorders Association: Helpline: 1-800-931-2237. Chat via myneda.org

Seize the Awkward:seizetheawkward.org. @seizetheawkward

My3 App: Define your network and your plan to stay safe. my3app.org

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention:afsp.org/resources

About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @HealthyFla.

For more information about the Florida Department of Health, please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.