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If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide or experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, 988 provides 24/7 connection to confidential support. There is hope. You are not alone. Call 988, text 838255, or chat 988lifeline.org. 988 connects you with a trained crisis counselor who can help.

What is suicide?

Suicide occurs when a person ends their life. It is the 11th leading cause of death among Americans in 2021. In Illinois, suicide remains one of the leading causes of death and results in more than 1,000 deaths each year. For young adults in Illinois 5 to 34 years of age, suicide is the third leading cause of death, and for 10-14 years of age, suicide is the fourth leading cause of death. However, suicide deaths are only part of the problem. More people survive suicide attempts than die. They are often seriously injured and need medical care.

Suicide is recognized as a chronic epidemic. Despite the overwhelming numbers, the tragedy of suicide is hidden by stigma, myth, and shame. The stigma surrounding suicide often has an impact on prevention and intervention efforts. Additionally, many people have the mistaken notion that talking about suicide increases the likelihood of suicide attempts. When, in fact, talking openly about suicide can help reduce the risk for those contemplating suicide. Someone who talks about suicide provides others with an opportunity to intervene before suicidal behaviors occur.

Who’s at risk?

Suicide does not discriminate based on race, gender, or age. However, there is a higher risk of suicide for those who have been diagnosed with a mental illness. The risk of suicide increases by more than 50% in individuals affected by depression. Studies also show roughly 90% of individuals who die by suicide have one or more mental disorders.

Some groups are at higher risk than others. In Illinois, men are 3 to 4 times more likely than women to die from suicide. More women than men report attempting suicide. In addition, suicide rates are higher among middle-aged adults, whereas suicide attempt rates are higher among young people.

Suicide Warning Signs

Seek help as soon as possible by contacting a mental health professional or by calling the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or texting 838255 if you or someone you know exhibits any of the following signs:

  • Threatening, writing, or talking about death, dying, suicide, or self-harm.
  • Looking for ways to kill oneself by seeking access to firearms, available pills, or other lethal means.
  • Feeling hopeless.
  • Feeling rage or uncontrolled anger or seeking revenge.
  • Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain.
  • Acting recklessly or engaging in risky activities - seemingly without thinking.
  • Feeling trapped - like there are no other options.
  • Increasing alcohol or drug use.
  • Withdrawing or feeling isolated from friends, family, and society.
  • Feeling or acting anxious, agitated, or unable to sleep or sleeping excessively.
  • Experiencing dramatic mood changes.
  • Seeing no reason for living or having no purpose in life.
  • Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge.

Warning signs can differ in youth. In addition to the above warning signs, youth can exhibit the following signs:

  • Talking about or making plans for suicide.
  • Expressing hopelessness about the future.
  • Displaying severe/overwhelming emotional pain or distress.
  • Showing worrisome changes in behavior, particularly in combination with the warning signs above, including significant:
    • Withdrawal from or changing social connections/situations.
    • Changes in sleep (increased or decreased).
    • Anger or hostility that seems out of character or out of context.
    • Recent increased agitation or irritability

Prevention Strategies

Suicide is a serious public health problem that can have long-lasting effects on individuals, families, and communities. The good news is that suicide is preventable. Everyone can help prevent suicide by learning the warning signs, promoting prevention and resilience, and committing to social change. Per the CDC’s Suicide Prevention Resources for Action, prevention strategies include:

Strengthen Economic Supports

  • Improve household financial security
  • Stabilize housing

Create Protective Environments

  • Reduce access to lethal means among persons at risk of suicide
  • Create healthy organizational policies and culture
  • Reduce substance use through community-based policies and practices

Improve Access and Delivery of Suicide Care

  • Cover mental health conditions in health insurance policies
  • Increase provider availability in underserved areas
  • Provide rapid and remote access to help
  • Create safer suicide care through systems change

Promote Healthy Connections

  • Promote healthy peer norms
  • Engage community members in shared activities

Teach Coping and Problem-solving Skills

  • Support social-emotional learning programs
  • Teach parenting skills to improve family relationships
  • Support resilience through education programs

Identify and Support People at Risk

  • Train gatekeepers
  • Respond to crises
  • Plan for safety and follow-up after an attempt
  • Provide therapeutic approaches

Lessen Harms and Prevent Future Risk

  • Intervene after a suicide (postvention)
  • Report and message about suicide safely

Illinois Suicide Prevention Alliance

The Suicide Prevention, Education, and Treatment Act (Public Act 095-0109) created the Illinois Suicide Prevention Alliance (ISPA). The ISPA aims to bring together public and private organizations and stakeholders concerned with mental health to implement the goals and objectives that reduce this tragedy, using a positive, public health approach. The ISPA reflects a multi-disciplinary membership appointed by the Illinois Department of Public Health director. Appointed membership represents state agencies, organizations that focus on the prevention of suicide and the improvement of mental health treatment, suicide survivors, mental health consumers, first responders, researchers, and those representing at-risk populations. In addition to the appointed members, numerous stakeholders assist in the ISPA’s work.

Illinois Suicide Prevention Alliance

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