The Family Institute Has Experts Available to Address Suicide Prevention

CHICAGO – September 2022 – The prevalence of suicide in America is alarming and The Family Institute at Northwestern University is joining the national movement to bring awareness to suicide prevention and offer expert advice to address this alarming crisis.  

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States. In 2020, an estimated 12.2 million American adults seriously thought about suicide, 3.2 million planned an attempt, 1.2 million attempted suicide with nearly 46,000 people dying by suicide. This equates to 1 death every 11 minutes. Suicide can also affect the health and well-being of friends, loved ones, co-workers and the entire community.  Surviving friends and family can experience shock, anger, guilt, and their own symptoms of depression or anxiety and potentially thoughts of suicide themselves.  

However, suicide is preventable. Suicide is most associated with depression and alcoholism, but also with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and anxiety disorders, which with the right support can be treated. Based on a research study conducted in 2018 we have determined that clients who started therapy in the clinically anxious, depressed or distressed range moved to the non-clinically anxious, depressed or distressed range by the end of the treatment.  Understanding how to best provide support to someone can be challenging, and The Family Institute has several therapists available for guidance and support.   

We also have additional resources available to provide support to someone who expresses suicidal thoughts. Emily C. Klear, LMFT, Director of Adult Psychotherapy Services offers Ways to Help Someone Struggling With Thoughts of Suicide, Melissa Prusko, Psy.D. shares insights on Navigating Mental Health Crises, and Karla Hargrove, M.A., LPC offers a 8-week Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Series to help reduce depression and anxiety. The new federal 9-8-8 hotline is also available to connect those in crisis with trained mental health counselors.   

Please follow us on social media for additional content throughout Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. 

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Media Contact: Crystal Reynolds, Director of Marketing, creynolds@family-institute.org   

  ABOUT THE FAMILY INSTITUTE AT NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY  

Incorporated in 1969, The Family Institute at Northwestern University is committed to strengthening and healing families, couples, children and adults through the highest quality, relationship-based mental health services. As partners to see change, The Family Institute brings together research, education and clinical practice leading to growth for our clients, the next generation of therapists and the field of behavioral health.   

The Family Institute conducts cutting-edge research to better understand mental health issues and treatment, operating two nationally renowned graduate programs through the Center for Applied Psychological and Family Studies at Northwestern University in Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy. For more information, visit www.family-institute.org.