Death by suicide is an extremely upsetting and complex issue that causes extreme pain to those that suffer this horrible tragedy. September is National Suicide Prevention and Awareness month which helps us to identify what it is and how to help others who are suffering from it. Suicide is the act of intentionally taking one’s life and a  suicide attempt is when someone harms themselves with any intent to die but their actions cause them not to.

 Suicide is connected to other forms of injury or violence. “It is becoming more evident that preventing child maltreatment can help prevent suicide” (Child Abuse Prevention is Suicide Prevention). Child maltreatment is physical, sexual, or emotional abuse or neglect by a parent or caregiver resulting in harm to the child. Some research has shown that early childhood abuse or neglect is linked to poor physical and behavioral health which can cause an increase in suicide risk in childhood and adolescence.

Did you know that survivors of sexual abuse are 2 to 5 times more likely to attempt suicide? (StopItNow). An article on a website called child help states that by using child abuse prevention education can have the effect of preventing suicides. Both child abuse and suicide rely on increased awareness, coping strategies and providing a community of safe adults.

 A Courageous Voice offers programs like Kids Voice Matter and Stronger Together which both are evidence based and evidence-informed. Kids Voice Matters offers a comprehensive curriculum for youth programs and schools for prevention education around child safety and mental wellness. Stronger Together is evidence informed, adult focused, prevention training solution for parents, communities and youth serving organizations. A comprehensive curriculum around CSA does not only teach about body safety and abuse resistance strategies but it also helps build self-worth, critical thinking and to build healthy relationships. Child sexual abuse is in fact connected to suicide and by implementing a comprehensive curriculum to educate and raise awareness, we can have healthier, happier, well adjusted, and successful children.