Education
Suicide
Suicide, while not a mental illness
itself, is a tragic and potentially preventable public health problem.
Every year, more than 30,000 Americans take their own lives. Suicide is
the eighth-leading cause of death in the United States, and the third
among youth, ages 15 to 24. Research shows that 90 percent of people who
kill themselves have a diagnosable mental or substance abuse disorder
or both, and that the majority of people have a depressive illness. Studies
indicate that the most promising way to prevent suicide and suicidal behavior
is through the early recognition and treatment of depression and other
psychiatric illnesses .
- It was the 8 th leading cause of death for males, and 19 th leading
cause of death for females.
- The total number of suicide deaths was 29,199.
- 1.3% of total deaths were from suicide. By contrast, 30.3% were
from heart disease, 23% were from cancer, and 7% from stroke, the three
leading causes.
- Suicide outnumbered homicides (16,899) by 5 to 3.
- There were twice as many deaths due to suicide than deaths due to
HIV/AIDS (14,802).
- There were almost exactly the same number of suicides by firearm (16,889)
as homicides (16,599).
- Suicide by firearms was the most common method for both men and women,
accounting for 57% of all suicides.
- More men than women die by suicide.
- The gender ratio is 4:1.
- 72% of all suicides are committed by white men.
- 79% of all firearm suicides are committed by white men.
- Among the highest rates (when categorized by gender and race) are
suicide deaths for white men over 85, who had a rate of 59/100,000.
- Suicide was the 3rd leading cause of death among young people 15 to
24 years of age, following unintentional injuries and homicide.
The rate was 10.3/100,000, or .01%.
- The suicide rate among children ages 10-14 was 1.2/100,000, or 192
deaths among 19,608,000 children in this age group.
- The suicide rate among adolescents aged 15-19 was 8.2/100,000, or
1,615 deaths among 19,594,000 adolescents in this age group.
Attempted Suicides
No annual national data on attempted
suicide are available; reliable scientific research, however, has found
that:
- There are an estimated 8-25 attempted suicides to one completion;
the ratio is higher in women and youth and lower in men and the elderly
- More women than men report a history of attempted suicide, with a
gender ratio of 3:1
- The strongest risk factors for attempted suicide in adults are depression,
alcohol abuse, cocaine use, and separation or divorce
- The strongest risk factors for attempted suicide in youth are depression,
alcohol or other drug use disorder, and aggressive or disruptive behaviors
Treatment
If you or someone you know is
contemplating suicide or has a plan to commit suicide, you must get help
immediately. This is an emergency and you should call 911 and talk to
your teachers, a parent, or a trusted adult. Feeling like you want to
hurt yourself, talking about hurting yourself, or injuring yourself are
all signs that there is a serious problem that requires professional help.
Treatment for depression , psychosis or any other mental health problem
is available in the form of medication , psychotherapy, and support from
people who understand and can help you work through this tough time.
Call Carmine for any and all
assistance.
