Buddy System
Support Group
Future Goal
Future Goal
Hotline
24/7
If you are in immediate crisis,
please dial 911 now.
SUPPORT US
At Akathisia Alliance for Suicide Prevention, we rely on the support of volunteers to help us achieve our mission of preventing suicide. Whether you have experience in the medical field or not, there are many ways to get involved and make a difference. From organizing community events to spreading awareness on social media, we welcome volunteers of all backgrounds and skill levels. Your contribution means so much.
Thank you to all of our Warrior Supporters.
ABOUT US
Akathisia Alliance for Suicide Prevention is a non profit 501(c)(3) volunteer organization dedicated to providing crucial resources and services for suicide prevention. Our website offers information on the warning signs of suicide, how to get help, and ways to support someone who is struggling. Please visit our resource page for a comprehensive list of ways to get the support that you may need as a sufferer.
AASP vision
Follow the PEA:
Prevention starts with education. Once you are educated, then you are able to spread awareness and advocate for them.
Collaboration
Across all SP Networks
Collaboration across all suicide prevention networks, to increase awareness, break the stigma and ultimately prevent all suicides for happening.
Suicide Prevention is Everyone’s Business
Joining together as a community to prevent the tragedy of suicides.
MAKE IT YOUR BUSINESS.
WHAT DO WE DO?
awareness
We fight to spread awareness surrounding Akathisia and improve suicide prevention strategies.
PREVENTING SUICIDES
We fight for sufferers to obtain a proper diagnosis.
ADVOCACY
We become a voice for those who no longer have a voice.
SUICIDE FACTS AND STATISTICS
Every 40 seconds someone commits suicide (CDC, 2024). Between the years 2000 – 2021, suicide rates increased to thirty-six percent (CDC, 2024). During these time periods, suicide was responsible for 48,183 deaths (CDC, 2024). The alarming number of individuals who contemplate suicide is even higher. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2024) statistics, “it is estimated that 12.3 million American adults have seriously thought about suicide, 3.5 million planned a suicide attempt, and 1.7 million attempted suicides” [para.3]. In 1981, suicide was the 5th leading cause of death in the 1-44 age group (CDCP, 2024).
Suicide is now the 2nd second leading cause of death for this age group, and numbers of suicides continue to rise (CDCP, 2024).
RISK AND PROTECTIVE FACTORS
“Risk Factors are conditions and characteristics that increase the chance that a person may try to take their life” (AFSP, 2024).
HEALTH
*Akathisia
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Serious physical health conditions [pain]
- Mental Health conditions such as depression, substance abuse issues, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, conduct disorders, anxiety disorders
- Toxic Black Mold (Dr. Ackerley, 2018)
- Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (Health News, 2024).
- Medication side effects (Dr. Tello, 2018).
ENVIRONMENTAL
- Contagious suicides (Gould, 1990)
- Access to lethal means such as drugs and firearms
- Prolonged stress such as bullying, unemployment, harassment, relationship problems, family issues
HISTORICAL
- Previous suicide attempts
- Family history of suicide
- Childhood neglect, trauma and abuse
PROTECTIVE FACTORS
“Protective factors are personal or environmental characteristics that help protect individuals from suicide” (SPRC, 2024).
- Access to a knowledgeable crisis line/community awareness of Akathisia
- A strong support system from family and friends
- Medical professionals understanding of Akathisia
- A nonpsychiatric center that can provide safety while withdrawing from medications
- Effective behavioral health care (SPRC, 2020)
- Connectedness to community, social institutions, family and individuals (SPRC, 2020)
- Life skills (stress management, conflict resolution, coping skills, adapting to change) (SPRC, 2020)
PRECIPITATING FACTORS AND WARNING SIGNS
“Precipitating factors are stressful events that can trigger a suicidal crisis in a vulnerable person” (SPRC, 2020).
- Telling the Akathisia sufferer that they are crazy, or they are delusional
- Prescribing more meds to treat the symptoms
- End of relationship or marriage (SPRC, 2020)
- Death of a loved one (SPRC, 2020)
- An arrest (SPRC, 2020)
- Serious financial problems (SPRC, 2020)
WARNING SIGNS
“Individuals who are considering suicide may show signs that they are thinking about or planning to attempt suicide” (SPRC, 2020).
Changes in behavior or mood:
- Pacing frantically
- Out of control feeling
- Becoming violent/rageful/recklessness
- Changes in eating/sleeping patterns
- Saying goodbye to family and friends
- Withdrawing from family and friends
- Giving away prized possessions
- Losing interest in personal appearance
- Not answering phone calls/or texts
- Increased alcohol or drug usage
- Recent suicide attempt
Talking about:
- Feeling as though they are a burden to others
- Feeling guilt, shame, or anger
- Feeling trapped, worthless, or hopelessness
- Death or a recent fascination with death
- Feeling unbearable pain
- Feeling like they cannot “take this anymore”
- Feeling as though they have no reason to live anymore
REFERENCES
AFSP. (2024). Risk factors and Protective Factors. Retrieved from: www.afsp.org/risk-factors-protective-factors-and-warning-signs/ on March 28th, 2024.
Ackerley, M., MD (2018). Letter to Australian Parliament. Retrieved from: https://iseai.org/a-letter-from-dr-ackerley-to-the-australian-parliament/ on March 28th, 2024.
CDC. (2024). Facts about Suicide. Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/facts/index.html on March 27th, 2024.
CDCP. (2024). Injuries and Violence Are Leading Causes of Death. Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/injury/wisqars/animated-leading-causes.html on March 27th, 2024.
Gould MS. Suicide clusters and media exposure. In. In: Blumenthal S, Kupfer D, editors. Suicide over the life cycle: Risk factors, assessment, and treatment of suicidal patients. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association; 1990. pp. 517–532.
Health News. (2024). Woman with chemical sensitivities chose medically-assisted death after failed bid to get better housing. Retrieved from: https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/woman-with-chemical-sensitivities-chose-medically-assisted-death-after-failed-bid-to-get-better-housing-1.5860579 on March 27th, 2024.
SPRC. (2024). Protective Factors. Retrieved from: www.sprc.org/risk-and-protective-factors/ on March 27th, 2024.
Tello, M., MD, MPH. (2018). Depression: Common medication side effect? Retrieved from: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/depression-common-medication-side-effect-2018071614259 on March 28th, 2024.
