Suicide is the tragic result of an individual's emotional distress when life appears
unmanageable and unbearable. Suicidal actions are frequently a result of feeling
overwhelmed by some type of life event. The distraught individual may be experiencing
the loss of a loved one through death or divorce, feeling lonely and socially isolated,
experiencing some type of physical illness or disability, or dealing with unemployment or
financial problems. Alcohol and drug dependence play a major role in a large number
of both attempted and completed suicides.
Suicide is not only tragic for the individual whose life is lost but for the family and
friends who are left behind. Family members are devastated, questioning whether there
were signs they missed or measures they should have taken to save their loved one’s
life. No one close to the deceased is ever left unscathed.
In the U.S., suicide accounts for approximately 1% of all deaths each year. More than
90% of all suicides are related to depression, alcohol and drug abuse or some type of
mental illness. According to the American Psychiatric Association, depression increases
the risk of a first suicide attempt by at least 14-fold.
The highest incidence of suicide is among the elderly. However, there has been a
steady increase in the rate of suicide among adolescents over the past decade. Suicide
is the third leading cause of death among teens 15 to 19 years of age, after accidents
and homicides. It is the 11th leading cause of death overall for the general population
in the United States.
There are significantly more episodes of attempted suicidal behavior than completed
suicides. Suicidal behavior can be defined as any deliberate action that has potentially
life-threatening consequences, such as taking a drug overdose, cutting one’s wrists or
crashing a vehicle into a tree. Males tend to choose more violent methods of suicide
(such as shooting oneself) while females tend to choose more non-violent methods
(such as overdosing on pills). This accounts for the fact that suicide attempts by males
are more likely to be completed than those by females. Four times as many men
commit suicide while women attempt suicide three times more frequently than men.
Many attempts are carried out in such a manner that rescue is possible. Often these
attempts represent a cry for help. However, about one-third of those individuals who
attempt suicide will repeat the attempt within one year. Approximately 10% of those
who threaten or attempt suicide eventually kill themselves.
All suicide threats or attempts should always be taken seriously and mental health
treatment for the individual should be sought immediately. Never dismiss threats
of suicide as merely attention-seeking.
There tend to be certain life experiences that increase an individual’s risk of suicidal
behavior. Generally, the more difficulties experienced, the higher the risk of suicide.
These life situations include:
These experiences do not predestine someone to suicide. However, the more life
stressors an individual experiences (without needed emotional support or community
resources being provided), the greater the risk of suicide.
What are some signs to look for in a potentially suicidal individual?
These signs or symptoms include:
What can you do if a friend or family member has expressed suicidal thoughts?
Talk candidly and openly with your friend or loved one. Many believe that if you talk
about suicide with a suicidal person it increases the likelihood that he or she will carry it
out. This is an old and dangerous myth. Letting your friend or loved one talk about
his or her pain helps to relieve the sense of aloneness and helplessness. But it’s
important to remember that you can’t handle the situation alone.
Mental health treatment should be sought immediately. Contact his or her primary care
physician or take your loved one to the nearest hospital emergency room where he or
she can be evaluated by a psychiatric emergency response team. If your friend or
family member is unwilling to seek voluntary treatment, call your local emergency
number such as 911 and report the situation. Law enforcement assistance may be
necessary to get appropriate treatment for your loved one if she or he is
uncooperative. Psychiatric hospitalization is often needed to treat the suicidal
individual’s acute symptoms and to prevent future suicidal attempts.
What if you are the individual contemplating suicide?
Know that help is available to you. Suicide prevention “hotline” services are available
throughout the country 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. These hotline services are
staffed by sympathetic, trained individuals who are willing to listen and assist you.
Go to www.suicidehotlines.com to access information on a number of national
hotline services and useful links. Or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or The National Hopeline Network at 1-800-Suicide
(784-2433). Also, for the hearing impaired, services may be accessed by dialing 1-
800-799-4TTY (4889).
steady increase in the rate of suicide among adolescents over the past decade. Suicide
is the third leading cause of death among teens 15 to 19 years of age, after accidents
and homicides. It is the 11th leading cause of death overall for the general population
in the United States.
There are significantly more episodes of attempted suicidal behavior than completed
suicides. Suicidal behavior can be defined as any deliberate action that has potentially
life-threatening consequences, such as taking a drug overdose, cutting one’s wrists or
crashing a vehicle into a tree. Males tend to choose more violent methods of suicide
(such as shooting oneself) while females tend to choose more non-violent methods
(such as overdosing on pills). This accounts for the fact that suicide attempts by males
are more likely to be completed than those by females. Four times as many men
commit suicide while women attempt suicide three times more frequently than men.
Many attempts are carried out in such a manner that rescue is possible. Often these
attempts represent a cry for help. However, about one-third of those individuals who
attempt suicide will repeat the attempt within one year. Approximately 10% of those
who threaten or attempt suicide eventually kill themselves.
All suicide threats or attempts should always be taken seriously and mental health
treatment for the individual should be sought immediately. Never dismiss threats
of suicide as merely attention-seeking.
There tend to be certain life experiences that increase an individual’s risk of suicidal
behavior. Generally, the more difficulties experienced, the higher the risk of suicide.
These life situations include:
- Family history of suicide or violence
- History of sexual or physical abuse
- Numerous job losses or chronic problems on the job
- Poor academic performance
- Divorce, separation or ending of significant relationship
- Impending legal action
- Death of a close friend or family member
- History of chronic illness or severe chronic pain
These experiences do not predestine someone to suicide. However, the more life
stressors an individual experiences (without needed emotional support or community
resources being provided), the greater the risk of suicide.
What are some signs to look for in a potentially suicidal individual?
These signs or symptoms include:
- Sadness or depression (lasting more than just a few days)
- Extreme stress or anxiety, nervousness
- Expressions of guilt feelings
- Sudden changes in behavior, attitudes or appearance
- Impulsiveness or behaving recklessly
- Giving away one’s belongings or valued possessions
- Impulsiveness or behaving recklessly
- Attempts to “put one’s affairs in order”
- Calmness after an extended period of anxiety, particularly after attempts to “put
one’s affairs in order” - Disturbed sleep patterns – either sleeping too much or too little
- Loss of appetite
- Sudden weight gain or loss
- Sudden change in appearance
- Lack of interest in appearance
- Writing about suicide or death
- Abuse of alcohol or other drugs
- Direct or indirect threats to commit suicide
- Unable to see beyond a narrow mental perspective into his/her problems
- Direct attempts to commit suicide
- Suffering a major loss or life change
What can you do if a friend or family member has expressed suicidal thoughts?
Talk candidly and openly with your friend or loved one. Many believe that if you talk
about suicide with a suicidal person it increases the likelihood that he or she will carry it
out. This is an old and dangerous myth. Letting your friend or loved one talk about
his or her pain helps to relieve the sense of aloneness and helplessness. But it’s
important to remember that you can’t handle the situation alone.
Mental health treatment should be sought immediately. Contact his or her primary care
physician or take your loved one to the nearest hospital emergency room where he or
she can be evaluated by a psychiatric emergency response team. If your friend or
family member is unwilling to seek voluntary treatment, call your local emergency
number such as 911 and report the situation. Law enforcement assistance may be
necessary to get appropriate treatment for your loved one if she or he is
uncooperative. Psychiatric hospitalization is often needed to treat the suicidal
individual’s acute symptoms and to prevent future suicidal attempts.
What if you are the individual contemplating suicide?
Know that help is available to you. Suicide prevention “hotline” services are available
throughout the country 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. These hotline services are
staffed by sympathetic, trained individuals who are willing to listen and assist you.
Go to www.suicidehotlines.com to access information on a number of national
hotline services and useful links. Or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or The National Hopeline Network at 1-800-Suicide
(784-2433). Also, for the hearing impaired, services may be accessed by dialing 1-
800-799-4TTY (4889).
Note: This article is for informational purposes only. If you are in need of mental health services, please contact a provider in your community. © 2008 Family Recovery Resources All Rights Reserved |
Depression increases the risk of a first suicide attempt by at least 14-fold. |
Letting your loved one talk about his or her pain helps to relieve the sense of aloneness and helplessness. |
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