If you need to talk with a counselor, call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (dial 988), In Tennessee, you can also contact TN Statewide Crisis Line at 855-CRISIS-1 (855-274-7471). Both services are available 24/7

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the U.S., especially for men. In Tennessee, men account for nearly 80% of suicides.

“In 2023, men died by suicide at a rate nearly four times that of women,” says Dr. Kelly Askins, a medical director with BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee.

Important facts about suicide

Dr. Askins: Here are key facts to know about suicide:

• Suicide affects people of all races and backgrounds.
• Nearly 2 million people attempted suicide in 2022, but millions more had suicidal thoughts.
• Suicide was the second leading cause of death for people between the ages of 10 and 34 in 2023.
• When people die by suicide, their death hurts their loved ones, too.

Why men may attempt suicide

Dr. Askins: There’s no single factor that leads someone to attempt suicide. But some conditions can raise the risk. Depression, anxiety and substance use may increase the risk. Financial problems or physical health conditions that a person might see as hopeless can be risk factors. Most suicide attempts happen when people feel hopeless, often after stressors and other health conditions come together.

Why is the suicide rate higher among men?

It may be because men don’t seek out help as readily as women. Women seek help for health issues, including mental health issues, much more often than men do. Men might use alcohol or drugs to self-medicate, which can make a bad situation worse.

Men are also more likely to use methods of suicide which are more likely to end in fatalities, like guns. Veterans are more likely to use firearms in suicide attempts.

Warning signs to watch for

Dr. Askins: Not everyone who attempts suicide will show warning signs. But many people do. Here’s what to watch for — in yourself and in people you love:

• Talking about suicide with other people
• Having suicidal thoughts
• Mood changes
• Giving away favorite possessions
• Taking risks without thinking about consequences
• Withdrawing from loved ones and social situations
• Talking about being a burden or feeling trapped

If you feel this way, don’t keep it to yourself. Contact one of the help resources below. You can also tell a loved one that you’re struggling and ask them to call for help for you. That can include calling 911.

If you notice these signs in someone else, speak up. You should always take statements that someone makes about suicide seriously. Don’t be afraid to ask them directly if they’re having suicidal thoughts or if they’re thinking about hurting themselves. You can call 911 if you have these concerns and ask if they’ll do a welfare check.

You can also find ways to make it harder for someone to attempt suicide. For example, you could remove firearms and other weapons from your home. You can encourage someone to seek professional help with depression or anxiety, too.

How to get help

Dr. Askins: Help is available. In Tennessee,by calling the TN Statewide Crisis Line at 855-CRISIS-1 (855-274-7471). The line is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis. You will be connected to a trained crisis counselor.

Other options for help:

• Call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (just dial 988)
• Text “TN” to 741741 to reach a crisis counselor
• Visit the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network website
• Call 988 and then press 1 to reach the Veterans Crisis Line

More from Dr. Askins on WellTuned

Get more information about specific health terms, topics and conditions to better manage your health on bcbst.com. BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee members can access wellness-related discounts on fitness products, gym memberships, healthy eating and more through Blue365®. BCBST members can also find tools and resources to help improve health and well-being by logging into BlueAccess and going to the Managing Your Health tab.