YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S., with an estimated over a million suicide attempts every year.


There is no one specific cause for suicide or suicide attempts. Suicide most often occurs when stressors in life along with health issues—both mental and physical health—converge to create a feeling of hopelessness. There are some tendencies and conditions such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse which, when untreated, can be contributing factors to increased risk of suicide.

It is important to identify both risk factors & warning signs for suicide prevention

  • Health Risk Factors: includes depression, anxiety, other personality orders, chronic pain, and substance abuse problems.

  • Environmental Risk Factors: includes prolonged stress such as harassment or bullying, stressful life events such as divorce, job loss, financial crisis, or other major life rejections or losses. Also includes access to lethal means including weapons or drugs.

  • Historical Risk Factors: includes previous suicide attempts, family history of suicide, and childhood abuse, neglect, or trauma.

  • Warning Sign— Talk: includes talk of not having a reason for living, feeling trapped or hopeless, feeling unbearable pain, or wanting to kill themselves.

  • Warning Sign— Behavior: includes behaviors such as aggression, fatigue, sleeping too much or too little, withdrawing from friends, family, and activities, and increased use of alcohol or drugs.

  • Warning Sign— Mood: includes mood changes such as depression, anxiety, loss of interest, irritability, agitation/anger, humiliation/shame, or relief/sudden improvement.

This episode of Guilty Pleasures and Growing Pains tackles a conversation about mental health and suicide prevention. It's an honest exchange between friends that share their personal stories surrounding mental health and suicide. Nina, Angie, and Krista are joined by Dr. Dimple Patel from the Illinois Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

If you or someone you know may be dealing with thoughts of suicide, please seek help right away. You can find additional resources and crisis hotline information at the bottom of this page.

At Pica & Associates, we have dedicated, experienced professional psychologists available with special training and involvement in suicide prevention. Dr. Dimple Patel serves as a Board Member for The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention—Illinois Chapter, and has been featured on podcast with a local radio host and as a featured speaker and moderator for AFSP-IL panels.


For further questions about suicide prevention, please contact Dr. Patel:

Dr. Dimple Patel, PsyD, Licensed Eligible Psychologist, The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention— Illinois Chapter Board Member

phone: (630) 549-6497 x 709 or email: patel@picaassoc.net


CRISIS HOTLINE/TEXT LINE:

24/7 Crisis Hotline: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Network, www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org | 1-800-273-TALK (8255) [Veterans, press 1]

24/7 Crisis Text Line: Text TALK to 741-741 to text with a trained crisis counselor from the Crisis Text Line for free.

[COMING SOON: 988 Line — www.fcc.gov/suicide-prevention-hotline]

Additional resources can be found on The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention website: afsp.org/suicide-prevention-resources#crisis-services