No suicide attempt should be dismissed or treated lightly!
Why Do People Attempt Suicide?
A suicide attempt is a clear indication that something is gravely wrong in a person’s life. No matter the race or age of the person; how rich or poor they are, it is true that most people who die by suicide have a mental or emotional disorder. The most common underlying disorder is depression, 30% to 70% of suicide victims suffer from major depression or bipolar (manic-depressive) disorder.
Warning Signs of Someone Considering Suicide
Any one of these signs does not necessarily mean the person is considering suicide, but several of these symptoms may signal a need for help:
-Verbal suicide threats such as, “You’d be better off without me.” or “Maybe I won’t be around”
-Expressions of hopelessness and helplessness
-Previous suicide attempts
-Daring or risk-taking behavior
-Personality changes
-Depression
-Giving away prized possessions
-Lack of interest in future plans
Remember: Eight out of ten people considering suicide give some sign of their intentions. People who talk about suicide, threaten suicide, or call suicide crisis centers are 30 times more likely than average to kill themselves.
If You Think Someone Is Considering Suicide
-Trust your instincts that the person may be in trouble
-Talk with the person about your concerns. Communication needs to include LISTENING
-Ask direct questions without being judgmental. Determine if the person has a specific plan to carry out the suicide. The more detailed the plan, the greater the risk
-Get professional help, even if the person resists
-Do not leave the person alone
-Do not swear to secrecy
-Do not act shocked or judgmental
-Do not counsel the person yourself
Why Do People Attempt Suicide?
A suicide attempt is a clear indication that something is gravely wrong in a person’s life. No matter the race or age of the person; how rich or poor they are, it is true that most people who die by suicide have a mental or emotional disorder. The most common underlying disorder is depression, 30% to 70% of suicide victims suffer from major depression or bipolar (manic-depressive) disorder.
Warning Signs of Someone Considering Suicide
Any one of these signs does not necessarily mean the person is considering suicide, but several of these symptoms may signal a need for help:
-Verbal suicide threats such as, “You’d be better off without me.” or “Maybe I won’t be around”
-Expressions of hopelessness and helplessness
-Previous suicide attempts
-Daring or risk-taking behavior
-Personality changes
-Depression
-Giving away prized possessions
-Lack of interest in future plans
Remember: Eight out of ten people considering suicide give some sign of their intentions. People who talk about suicide, threaten suicide, or call suicide crisis centers are 30 times more likely than average to kill themselves.
If You Think Someone Is Considering Suicide
-Trust your instincts that the person may be in trouble
-Talk with the person about your concerns. Communication needs to include LISTENING
-Ask direct questions without being judgmental. Determine if the person has a specific plan to carry out the suicide. The more detailed the plan, the greater the risk
-Get professional help, even if the person resists
-Do not leave the person alone
-Do not swear to secrecy
-Do not act shocked or judgmental
-Do not counsel the person yourself
Suicide Statistics
-Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the US, accounting for more than 1% of all deaths. It is the second leading cause of death among people ages 15-24.
-More years of life are lost to suicide than to any other single cause except heart disease and cancer
44,000 Americans die by suicide each year.
-There are 13.8 deaths by suicide per 100,000 persons each year.
There is one death by suicide for every 25 attempts.
-40% of persons who complete suicide have made a previous attempt. Nine of out ten people who attempt suicide and survive, do not go on to complete suicide at a later date.
-Previous suicide attempts serve as a risk factor for completed suicide. Suicide risk is 37% higher in the first year after deliberate self-harm than in the general population. Older white adults have triple the suicide risk than younger, non-white adults.
-Suicide rates are highest among adults between 45 and 64 at 19.6 percent. The second highest rate is 19.4 among those 85 years or older. Compared with middle-aged older adults, younger populations have consistently lower suicide rates.
-While males are four times more likely to do die by suicide, females are three times more likely to attempt suicide.
-Those with substance abuse disorders are six times more likely to complete suicide than those without. The rate of completed suicide among men with alcohol/drug abuse problems is 2-3 times higher than among those without a problem. Women who abuse substances are at 6-9 times higher risk of suicide compared to women who do not have a problem.
-Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the US, accounting for more than 1% of all deaths. It is the second leading cause of death among people ages 15-24.
-More years of life are lost to suicide than to any other single cause except heart disease and cancer
44,000 Americans die by suicide each year.
-There are 13.8 deaths by suicide per 100,000 persons each year.
There is one death by suicide for every 25 attempts.
-40% of persons who complete suicide have made a previous attempt. Nine of out ten people who attempt suicide and survive, do not go on to complete suicide at a later date.
-Previous suicide attempts serve as a risk factor for completed suicide. Suicide risk is 37% higher in the first year after deliberate self-harm than in the general population. Older white adults have triple the suicide risk than younger, non-white adults.
-Suicide rates are highest among adults between 45 and 64 at 19.6 percent. The second highest rate is 19.4 among those 85 years or older. Compared with middle-aged older adults, younger populations have consistently lower suicide rates.
-While males are four times more likely to do die by suicide, females are three times more likely to attempt suicide.
-Those with substance abuse disorders are six times more likely to complete suicide than those without. The rate of completed suicide among men with alcohol/drug abuse problems is 2-3 times higher than among those without a problem. Women who abuse substances are at 6-9 times higher risk of suicide compared to women who do not have a problem.
