September 9-15th is National Suicide Prevention week organized by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. “If you have experienced the suicide of a loved one, you are not alone. There are millions of people who have had similar thoughts, feelings, regrets, and guilt throughout the grieving process. Find a support group, pick up a book, attend a walk, make a call, or check out resources online. You don’t have to go at this alone. It might seem scary or overwhelming at first, but you may just find the resources available as helpful to you as they are for many others. And someday in the future, you may find yourself helping other suicide-loss survivors through their heartache, because you truly understand their pain. We are in this together, and we can support one another. You are not alone. You matter.”

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), more than 41,000 individuals die by suicide each year, making suicide the 10th leading cause of death among adults in the United States and the second leading cause of death a

mong individuals 10-24 years of age. Firearms account for 50% of suicide and women attempt suicide three times more frequently than men however men are three times more likely to die by suicide. Most often individual who have attempted or committed suicide will show warning signs however these warning signs may go unnoticed by loved ones and even health professionals. The reasons for committing suicide go far and beyond any one or two causes however studies have shown that approximately 90 percent of individuals who die of suicide have a diagnosable mental health disorder. The most common mental health disorders associated with suicide include schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, substance abuse disorder, personality disorders, anxiety disorders and depression.

Eating Disorders and Suicide

Eating disorders, specifically anorexia nervosa, have the highest mortality rate out of all mental health disorders. Whether it is from medical complications or suicide, eating disorders are known to kill. Studies have shown that individuals with anorexia nervosa have the highest successful suicide rates and individuals with bulimia nervosa have the greatest number of suicide attempts. Risk factors for suicide in these populations include older age, lower weight, co-occurring psychiatric condition, history of physical or sexual abuse and current substance abuse. Individuals with eating disorders often will have a false sense of reality, may feel unworthy or hopeless, battle with disordered thoughts, have feelings of being emotional trapped and feel as if they are a burden resulting in suicidal thoughts and attempts.

Self-harm and Suicide

Studies have showed that there are four main reasons why individuals engage in self-harm behavior: 1) to reduce negative emotions, 2) to feel “something” besides numbness or emptiness, 3) to avoid certain social situations, and 4) to receive social support.

Self-harm is often misconstrued as being directly linked with suicide but this is not the case as the two are drastically different. Since suicide and self-harm are inflictions of pain, they often get grouped together under the same subject. Although it sometimes is true that individuals who engage in self-harm may later commit suicide, generally individuals who engage in self-harm do not wish to end their life but rather engage in self-harm as a way to cope with their life. Individuals who attempt suicide do so with intent to end their life due to their suffering.

The Difference is Intent

The most significant difference between suicide and self-harm is intent. Individuals who are suicidal are experiencing severe life stressors and/or mental health disorders that are causing unbearable pain and suicide is their way to end this pain. Suicide attempts usually come from a place of despair, hopelessness and worthlessness. On the contrary, individuals who engage in self-harm do so as a way to cope with their feelings and stressors. For some, the pain from self-injury reassures them that they are still in fact, alive especially when they are experiencing emotional numbness or a disconnect from the world. The physical act of cutting or burning induces pain receptors in the body that triggers the brain to feel an adrenaline “rush” which can easily become addictive and highly dangerous.

Eliminating food as a reward/punishment

Children are at risk of associating food with emotions and feelings of accomplishment when food is used in the classroom as a reward. Whether it is candy or a sugary treat, foods should not be used as a reward or as a punishment. Meals and snack times should never be taken away as a punishment. This reinforces the practice of eating outside of meal or snack times and encourages students to eat treats even when they are not hungry. This practice may create lifetime habits of rewarding or comforting oneself with unhealthy eating which can lead to emotional eating that is closely linked with many eating disorders.

Be a role model

Your students are taking mental notes of what you eat and drink and how you act. Drink water instead of soda and try to eat healthy food when you are around your students. When you are planning a school party, kindly ask the parents to avoid sugary treats and drinks and speak with your principal about potentially educating your students on bullying and safety.