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Dear Editor:
The holiday season is a busy time of year for most people. It’s a time of reconnecting and reminiscing. People are traveling back home or to the new homes of those close to them, sometimes seeing people they haven’t seen in a long time. It’s a great time to catch up with others, and an even better time to check in on them.
While the holidays are typically filled with excitement, they can stir up negative feelings for people as well. Depression and stress are just a couple that people experience. They are also risk factors for suicide. Mental illness is the biggest risk factor for youth suicides (ages 10 to 24). Up to 90 percent of suicides are associated with addictive or mental disorders. Depression specifically affects 60 percent of those who die by suicide.
External stressors are also a risk factor for suicide. While there are many kinds of external stressors, financial instability is a prevalent one during the holidays. Buying gifts, holiday meals, traveling to see family or friends, are all common occurrences this season that can contribute to financial stress.
Be intentional about checking in on others this holiday season. You never know just how much of an impact listening to someone talk about their experiences and emotions can have. Mental illness and external stressors are just a few of the risk factors for suicide. For more information on these suicide risk factors and others, you can visit jasonfoundation.com.
The Jason Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to the prevention of youth and young adult suicide through education. Their website offers free training and materials on youth suicide, as well as assistance in locating the nearest Jason Foundation Affiliate Office.
If you or someone you care about are experiencing suicidal thoughts this season, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a resource available to you 24/7. You can call or text 988 and get the assistance you need. As you’re checking off names on your guest and gift lists this year, check in with them, too.
Mallory Wire
Division Director
The Jason Foundation