Suicide prevention resources in the wake of Stephen 'tWitch' Boss death

How to respond when someone is in crisis

In the wake of the shocking death of Stephen "tWitch" Boss, FOX 26's Natalie Hee speaks with a psychiatrist on mental health resources, suicide prevention, and other signs to look out for when someone might be in a crisis.

HOUSTON - In light of Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss’s death, there are a number of resources available for those who might also be contemplating suicide. According to the latest data from the CDC, suicide is the 12th leading cause of death in the US. On average, about 130 suicides happen every day.

Psychiatrist Dr. Mahmood Hossain said there are resources available for anyone who may be in crisis.

"At the end of the day, celebrities, they’re human just like us," Dr. Hossain said.

Dr. Hossain said some telltale clues that someone may be contemplating suicide include changes in their diet, sleep schedule, or behavior like seeming overly irritable and withdrawn.

Increasing awareness about mental health

FOX 26 Reporter Tiffany Justice has more on how mental health affects so many people.

"A lot of times people think suicide is equivalent to feeling depressed, or depression means suicide, that they go hand in hand, or that suicide is sort of a severe version of depression. That’s not the case. You can be extremely anxious. It could be after the loss of a loved one. You’re going through intense grief, or you could be under the influence of a drug or some other substance," Dr. Hossain said.

According to the latest data from the CDC, nearly 46,000 Americans died by suicide in 2020 and an estimated 1.2 million attempted suicide in that same year.

Dr. Hossain said the holidays can be particularly triggering for some. He suggests addressing suicide with an individual directly and encouraging them to seek professional help.

"The suicidal thinking right before the attempt, or the act of going through it, can be minutes or hours before. It depends really if that person is impulsive. An impulsive person doesn’t need a lot of time. If they feel like in that moment, they’re in crisis, they can’t escape, sometimes that's all it takes," Dr. Hossaind said.

Anyone who needs help can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, or chat with someone online at 988lifeline.