FOX 7 Discussion: CDC releases new statistics on suicides in US

AUSTIN, Texas - New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows an increase in suicide rates.

More than 48,000 lives were lost to suicide, according to the latest CDC statistics. In the US, the CDC says there was a 2.5 percent increase from 2017 to 2018.

Nicole Warren with Integral Care joins Marcel Clarke to discuss suicide prevention in Austin.

Integral Care offers free one-day Mental Health First Aid classes that give people the tools they need to help someone who might be developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. In the classes, people learn the signs and symptoms of mental illness, risk factors and warning signs of mental illness and drug and alcohol use, information on depression, anxiety, trauma, suicide and drug and alcohol use, a 5-step action plan to help someone in crisis or showing signs of mental illness and about professional and self-help resources.

The classes are offered across the community and can be offered onsite at businesses at no cost to the business.

If you or a loved one needs help, Integral Care also offers support in the form of a 24/7 Crisis Helpline at 512-472-4357 and their Psychiatric Emergency Services, a walk-in clinic for adults and children which is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday, Sunday and holidays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Anyone needing support can also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK.