New poll shows more are willing to reach out in mental health crisis
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U.S. adults are now more likely to say they'd reach out to someone if they were considering suicide, including Latinos who in the past have been reluctant due to stigma, a new poll shows.
The big picture: Suicide cases in the U.S. reached a record high last year, and the number of adults who say they know someone who has attempted it or died by it has been rising in the past five years.
Driving the news: The new poll, released yesterday by a coalition of groups focused on suicide prevention, found 82% of people said they were more likely to reach out to someone if they happen to have thoughts of suicide than in past years.
- In comparison, 80% said the same two years ago and 73% said so in 2018.
- This year's poll was also the largest yet and included more experiences of different ethnic/racial groups, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, and the Suicide Prevention Resource Center.
- There were more than 4,300 respondents; 17% of them Latino.
By the numbers: 66% of Hispanics polled said they know someone who they think is considering it or who has talked about, attempted or died by suicide.
- 30% of Latinos polled said they themselves have considered or attempted suicide.
- Latinos have the second-highest metrics in both regards, after American Indian or Alaska Native people (77% and 42%, respectively).
- The numbers were 62% and 22% for white non-Hispanics; 55% and 26% for Black non-Hispanics, and 50% and 25% for Asian non-Hispanics.
The intrigue: Experts attribute part of the mental health crisis among U.S. Latinos to a cultural stigma around seeking help.
- But, two out of three Latinos (67%) said they would now feel comfortable going to a family member or a loved one to let them know if they were having suicidal thoughts.
- 77% also said they are likely to reach out to services like the 988 hotline.
What they're saying: "We're seeing growing willingness to talk about mental health and suicide," and by sharing people "can learn that they are not alone and that with help they can feel better," says Jill Harkavy-Friedman, senior vice president of research at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
- Developing resources that take into account cultural differences and the barriers faced by different demographic groups should remain a priority, she adds.
- Having studies like this poll can help because "we can learn more about how we can help in specific communities," Harkavy-Friedman says.
If you or someone you know may be considering suicide, call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. También hay ayuda disponible en español.
