National Suicide Prevention Month: Experts share insights

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National Suicide Prevention Month: Experts share insights

Northwestern physicians, psychologists are available for interviews

EVANSTON, Ill. - September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and Northwestern University faculty offer expert insights for reducing the risk of suicide. Journalists may use the quotes provided below or schedule an interview with the experts by contacting our team.

Dr. Michael Ziffra is an associate professor of general psychiatry at Feinberg School of Medicine and a Northwestern Medicine psychiatrist. He specializes in mood disorders, including depression and bipolar disorder. He can be reached by contacting Ben Schamisso at [email protected] or 847-467-3322.

Quote from Professor Ziffra:
"If you're concerned about a friend or family member, a good first step is to check in with them in a caring, non-judgmental manner. Give them a space to express what they are feeling, while also understanding that they may not feel ready to be completely forthcoming about every detail.

"Reassure your loved one that help is available and work together to figure out what is the best way to get them connected with the most appropriate type of help. If they are willing to seek care with a mental health professional, you can help them in setting this up. However, if your loved one indicates that they feel very close to acting on suicidal thoughts, this should be treated as an emergency, and you should help them seek urgent medical attention."

Pediatric expert:

Dr. Audrey Brewer is an assistant professor of pediatrics at Feinberg and a researcher at Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago. She is the corresponding author of a new study that reviewed more than 5 million hospital visits for mental health concerns by U.S. children between 2016 and 2022 and found a 74% increase in suicide-related visits. She can be reached by contacting Kristin Samuelson at [email protected] or 847-769-6596.

Quote from Professor Brewer:
"A child experiencing a mental health crisis may arrive at any emergency department, and many are not prepared to care for children with acute mental health needs. Our findings underscore the need to equip every emergency department - not only large pediatric centers - with tools and resources to provide evidence-based mental health care.

"Strengthening mental and behavioral health capacity across all emergency care settings is essential to ensuring children receive timely, effective and equitable care."

Expert on athletes:

Michele Kerulis is a clinical professor with the Family Institute at Northwestern specializing in general mental health, sport and exercise, and lifestyle and wellness. Her recent essay, "Athletes, Grief and the Losses No One Talks About," was published by Psychology Today. She can be reached by contacting Stephanie Kulke at [email protected] or 847-491-4819.

Quote from Professor Kerulis:
"Sport culture often prioritizes performance, leaving grief unrecognized and unsupported.
Suicide remains the second leading cause of death among collegiate athletes. When a death involves suicide, silence often deepens. Suicide carries layers of stigma, discomfort and uncertainty. Athletes may struggle with questions they feel unsafe to ask, while coaches may worry about saying the wrong thing.

"Gently and honestly naming reality can help stabilize environments. Research shows that being proactive about personalizing the nature of the loss strengthens the sense of community, while avoiding discussions can lead people to feel isolated."

Expert on military veterans:

Katie Atkins is the clinical training director at the Family Institute at Northwestern dedicated to improving mental health among military populations. Her research is focused on cultural immersions, transcultural counseling, and grief, loss and bereavement. She can be reached by contacting Stephanie Kulke at [email protected] or 847-491-4819.

Quote from Professor Atkins:
"More than 6,000 veterans die by suicide every year, and their risk is over 50 percent higher than other adults. About 61 percent of veterans were not receiving VA care in the years before they died, which tells us prevention needs to happen in families, workplaces and communities, not just clinics.

"Connection is the antidote to suicide. Military culture is full of losses that don't look like grief, from leaving a unit or a post to coming home from deployment and losing the identity and purpose that came with the uniform. Those times of transition are when risk of suicide increases. If someone you love is in one of these transitions, acknowledge the grief they are experiencing. Ask them directly if they are thinking about suicide, help them put distance between themselves and firearms during hard stretches, and continue to check in. Staying connected and be willing to listen are crucial ways to reduce risk."