Suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States, and most suicides are a result of untreated mental illness. We know today that more research, advocacy, and education can help prevent these needless deaths. Like so many others, I know about this personally because in 2011 I lost my dad to suicide.

For too long, suicide has been swept under the rug while families have been made to feel ashamed for losing a loved one to mental illness. Now, some solutions may be within our grasp. For example, studies have shown that placing additional barriers on bridges reduces the number of suicides. Once deterred, people often do not try again, and their suicides just never happen. There are similar important findings in other areas such as neurobiology and clinical treatment, but more research is needed. Just as federal funding made the difference in preventing cancer and HIV/AIDS, more funding for suicide prevention research will save lives.

My fellow advocates have travelled to Washington, D.C., to tell our members of Congress how important this issue is to us. If you suffer from a mental illness — or you know someone who does — take five minutes right now to call your U.S. representative and senators at 202-224-3121, and tell them to make suicide prevention a national priority.

You might just save a life.

Dana M. Cea

Communications chair

N.C. Chapter of American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Winston-Salem