September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month –a time to raise awareness of this stigmatized, and often taboo, topic, says the The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) website. The purpose of the awareness month is to shift public perception, spread hope and share vital information to people affected by suicide, states the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). NAMI’s goal is ensuring that individuals, friends and families have access to the resources they need to discuss suicide prevention and to seek help.

The Upper Peninsula Community Health Needs Assessment (UPCHNA) for 2021, published by the Wester U.P. Health Dept., reports that while not a mental disorder or illness, suicide is often a byproduct of mental illness an is the second leading cause of death in the United States among people aged 10 to 34 and the 10th leading cause overall. The overall suicide rate in this country has increased 35% since 1999. Of those who died from suicide, 46% had been diagnosed with a mental health condition and 90% had shown symptoms of a mental health condition.

NAMI states the purpose of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month as to shift public perception of not only suicide, but mental illness as a whole.

Stigma is attached to suicide, mental health, Substance Use Disorder (addiction), and has been, and remains, among the most prevalent barriers for those wanting help.

The UPCHNA report, on page 209, states: “The stigma surrounding mental health makes patients reluctant to talk about mental health issues or to seek treatment.”

Available national statistics suggest that mental illness is far more common that the general public is aware of, or willing to admit. The UPCHNA report includes the Annual prevalence among adult in the United States:

• Schizophrenia: <1% (estimated 1.5 million) • Bipolar disorder (BPD): 2.8% (estimated 7 million) • Major depressive episode: 7.8% (estimated 19.4 million) • Anxiety disorders: 19.1% (estimated 48 million) • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): 3.6% (estimated 9 million) • Obsessive compulsive disorder: 1.2% (estimated 3 million) • Borderline personality disorder: 1.4% (estimated 3.5 million). In other words, 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. experience mental illness. But mental illness, suicide and stigma are not unique to the United States. Seattle.edu/wellness/mental/stigma reported that a study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry, reported 83% of participants felt conscious of the stigma associated with mental illness and had difficulty seeking help. Only 54% of participants had discussed their suicidal thoughts with their family, peers, and/or spouses. In March, 2021, the Kim Foundation, stated that: "The word 'stigma' is a word many of us are familiar with, especially if you spend any amount of time in the behavioral health field. According to www.dictionary.com stigma is 'a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person.'" The Nebraska-based Kim Foundation is an organization dedicated to public mental health throughout that state. Oregon Counseling's website echoes the warnings of research organizations, of which NAMI is just one: "Stigmas can be extremely damaging," states oregoncounseling.com. "For someone who is struggling with a mental health condition, stigmas can worsen their psychological well-being and make them more reluctant to seek help. However, as a society, we can all do our part to end stigmas. The easiest way to do so is by having open conversations about mental health." There are a lot of different social stigmas that exist, the site explains. The stigma surrounding mental illness is one of them. Stigmas about mental health often include prejudiced attitudes toward mental illness. They can include negative stereotypes or harmful language, like claiming someone is "crazy" or that they should "try harder" or "snap out of it." People can also have their own self-perceived stigmas about their mental health conditions, which they internalize and contribute to feelings of shame and self-doubt. Eliminating stigma is necessary to decreasing the barriers people need to receive help needed. As Oregon Counseling says: "Together, we can end the stigma around mental health and suicide. The first step for ending the stigma is recognizing that a stigma exists and is surrounding these issues. By putting an end to the harmful conversations and outlooks towards those who are struggling, we can focus more on providing education and resources that can save someone's life."