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Thank you.

Just a heads up, this episode talks directly about suicide.

This is NPR's Life Kit. I'm Ritoo Chatterjee. I cover mental health for NPR. And today we are

talking about something that's long been a taboo topic. Suicide. In 2018, the most recent year

we have data for more than 40,000 people died by suicide in the United States. And a recent

report by the CDC suggests that about 11% of adults are having suicidal thoughts during this

pandemic. And that number is higher among 18 to 24-year-olds. But here's the thing about suicide.

Research shows that it's preventable. And a recent national survey showed that Americans

know this and they want to help someone who may be at risk. But they might not know how to help.

A lot of times folks feel like suicide prevention is only something that professionals can do.

That's Dick Quincy Lisein. He's a psychologist and has struggled with thoughts of suicide

himself. And he chairs the lived experience division of the American Association of Suicideology.

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