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1. Introduction

Introduction & Executive Summary

Since 2015, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance), and the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) have commissioned The Harris Poll to conduct a bi-annual, nationally representative survey of adults in the U.S. to understand the public’s beliefs and attitudes about mental health and suicide. The survey measures what the public knows about how to support someone who is struggling and their perceptions of barriers to helping someone at risk for suicide. The poll also helps reveal the public’s usage of, expectations about, and barriers to using crisis services.

In the latest poll (2022) we take an early pulse on public awareness of 988, the new Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, exploring expectations and awareness of 988 and access to using crisis services, and assess the impact of unified suicide prevention messaging efforts over time. We find that gains have been made in valuing mental health, but also a perception that there is not consistent societal support for mental health care. We find a strong desire to help but also strong uncertainty about the best ways to do so. And we learn that access to care is seen as the leading barrier to getting help.

Overall, the poll indicates that progress has been made, but there is more to do. We must continue to learn more about suicide and mental health particularly through increased research efforts, teach everyone how to help prevent suicide and strengthen mental health, and advocate for improved access to care and robust crisis services.

This collaborative, multi-year project is conducted by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, and the Suicide Prevention Resource Center. AFSP provided support to fund the website.

2. Learn About the Data

Understand the perceptions, beliefs, and attitudes of the U.S. public about suicide and mental health

Based on public perception polling of attitudes about mental health and suicide, more people than ever value mental health as much or more than physical health, but most adults do not feel they are treated equally by the overall health care system.

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Comparing physical and mental health

Over time, the public's perception of physical health and mental health — and their own health — is changing.

Most people perceive mental health as equal to physical health
76%
However, over half of U.S. adults feel physical health is treated as more important
51%
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More People Believe that Suicide Can be Prevented and Want to Take Action to Help

Most people report that suicide can be prevented, at least sometimes

94%

believe that suicide can be prevented at least sometimes

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75%

Three-quarters of adults in the U.S. (75%, more than in previous years) say that most people who die by suicide usually show some signs beforehand

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96%

More and more U.S. adults (96% in 2022) would take action to help prevent suicide if someone close to them was thinking about suicide

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More People Report Personal Experience With Mental Health Conditions and/or Suicide

More people report they have or have had a mental health condition

67% believe that they have had a mental health condition at some point in their life (up from 2018 and 2020). Nearly 60% of adults in the U.S. have familiarity with suicide - increasing from previous years.

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Learn About the Data

The change in the public's perception of and knowledge about suicide and mental health is encouraging. More people have an understanding of the importance of mental health and believe that suicide can be prevented.

Over time, a greater number of people recognize that there are warning signs for suicide and are aware that they may have a mental health condition themselves – and want to take action to help prevent suicide and strengthen mental health.

Let Your Network Know

More people recognize that they have the power to seek mental health support, practice self-care techniques and routines, and impact the conversation so that mental health is seen as equally important to physical health. Download and share.

New Poll Data (mental health & suicide prevention). @afspnational @Action_Alliance @sprctweets Learn more:

https://suicidepreventionnow.org

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3. Know How to Help

Be there for yourself and reach out to someone who might be struggling.

People in the U.S. have a desire to help and are becoming more comfortable talking about mental health and suicide. But many adults are not sure that they have enough knowledge to help.

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People Are Eager to Help but Unsure How

2 out of 3

Adults believe they don't have enough knowledge to tell if someone is considering suicide

2 out of 3 adults

But 8 out of 10

Adults are open to learning how they can do more to help someone in need

But 8 out of 10

People Are Comfortable Talking about Mental Health and Suicide

While more and more people are comfortable talking about these issues, adults vary substantially on who specifically they would turn to if they were considering thoughts of suicide.

Half to three-quarters of U.S. adults are comfortable...

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Being there to help a loved one
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Talking to a clinician when struggling
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Talking to a friend or loved one when struggling
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Discussing suicide with friends and loved ones overall

Know How to Help

Year-over-year, people are becoming more comfortable talking about their mental health with clinicians and loved ones and being there for others who are struggling. This progress is encouraging and together, we're reducing barriers to talking about mental health and suicide.

If you are struggling with your mental health or suicidal thoughts or know someone who is, you are not alone. Empowering people to have conversations about mental health and suicide prevention can save lives.

Learn more about how you can be there for yourself and others.

Open Conversations Can Save Lives

If you're struggling with your mental health or suicidal thoughts or know someone who is, you are not alone. Education programs help people talk about mental health and suicide prevention and understand ways to help. We must continue to develop opportunities to increase confidence around talking about our mental health and help seeking for suicide risk. Download and share.

4. Advocate for Change

Help to improve access and strengthen systems of care

More than ever, people are looking to professionals and others for mental health care, with the pandemic exacerbating needs. However, lack of access and affordability are creating barriers to care.

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Understanding perceived barriers to care

What respondents are saying…

Barriers

States need to step up and do something [to reduce barriers]

69-year-old Male

[People feel they are] isolated or they are only one

55-year-old Male

Family isn't there for them

29-year-old Female

Solutions

[Provide] better education on overall health

66-year-old Female

[Make] mental healthcare easy and affordable

59-year-old Male

Make it less of a stigma

33-year-old Female
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Over 60 percent of people believe we need to provide better access to mental health care (e.g., talk therapy, couples counseling, family therapy, tele-therapy). But with the number of barriers to care, not enough people have access to the care they need.

More People Believe We Can Do More to Reduce Suicide Risk

78%

Three-quarters of respondents (78%) feel more training and education for professionals and/or access to care can help reduce number of deaths by suicide.

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U.S. adults are demanding more for mental health

Clear trends developed when respondents were asked what actions are most important in removing barriers to seeking help and preventing suicide.

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Better access to mental health care
61%
More public education about suicide prevention
60%
Additional training for health care providers
54%
Better access to health care in general
53%

People Believe Access and Affordability Are Major Barriers

Nearly half of respondents (46%) believe lack of affordable treatment keeps people who are thinking about suicide from seeking help, while another 44 percent believe lack of access to treatment is what keeps people who are thinking about suicide from seeking help.

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People Who Want Access Can't Get It

81% of respondents are more aware of the importance of mental health care in the wake of the pandemic, but half have found it is more difficult to access the mental health care they need.

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Advocate for Change

More than ever, people are recognizing the importance of and need for taking care of their mental health. However, they're finding that the support system we have in place is not adequate to fill that need. We must continue to advocate for increasing access to care and improving the training available to all health care professionals so that those who make the brave choice to seek care are able to receive it.

Become an advocate to improve access to mental health and suicide-related treatments and supports.

Let Your Network Know

We need your help. By advocating for more mental health and suicide prevention research, resources and access to care, including increased support for the new 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, you can make a difference. Download and share.

New Poll Data (mental health & suicide prevention). @afspnational @Action_Alliance @sprctweets Learn more:

https://suicidepreventionnow.org

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Take Action

Now that you know the facts, learn more about the data and take action to strengthen suicide prevention and mental health.