Generalities Risks Factors Statistics Methods Signs of Suicide Solutions

 Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair, the cause of which is frequently attributed to a mental disorder such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse. Stress factors such as financial difficulties or troubles with interpersonal relationships often play a role.

 Around 800,000 to a million people die by suicide every year, making it the 10th leading cause of death worldwide. Rates are higher in men than in women, with males three to four times more likely to kill themselves than females. There are an estimated 10 to 20 million non-fatal attempted suicides every year. Attempts are more common in young people and females.

 Mental disorders are often present at the time of suicide with estimates ranging from 27% to more than 90%. Of those who have been admitted to a psychiatric unit, their lifetime risk of completed suicide is about 8.6. Other conditions implicated include schizophrenia (14%), personality disorders (14%), bipolar disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder. About 5% of people with schizophrenia die of suicide.

 Substance abuse is the second most common risk factor for suicide after major depression and bipolar disorder. Both chronic substance misuse as well as acute intoxication are associated. Additionally substance misuse is associated with mental health disorders.  Most people are under the influence of sedative-hypnotic drugs when they commit suicide with alcoholism present in between 15% and 61% of cases. The misuse of cocaine and methamphetamines has a high correlation with suicide.

Suicides per 100,000 people per year

 Suicide is the 3 rd -leading cause of death for young people between the ages 15 and 24 years. In 2008, 24% of students had thought seriously aboub attempting suicide, 18% of students had made a specific plan to attempt suicide and 9% students had attempted suicide.  Some of the common causes of stress that effect kids are school, work, parents, money, dating/relationship. On a scale of 1 to 10 of how stressed students feel, the average is 6,5.

 The death rate varies by method: firearms 80-90%, drowning 65-80%, hanging 60-85%, car exhaust 40-60%, jumping 35-60%, medication overdose 1.5-4%. In United States, 57% of suicides involve the use of firearms with this method being somewhat more common in men than women. The next most common cause was hanging in males and self poisoning in females. In Switzerland, where nearly everyone owns a firearm, the greatest number of suicides are by hanging. In China the consumption of pesticides is the most common method.

 Talking about wanting to die or to kill oneself  Looking for a way to kill oneself, such as searching online or buying a gun  Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live  Talking about being a burden to others  Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs  Acting anxious or agitated

Have you heard someone saying:  Life isn't worth living.  My family would be better off without me.  Next time I'll take enough pills to do the job right.  I won't be around to deal with that.  You'll be sorry when I'm gone.  I have a plan to kill myself.  I won’t be in your way much longer.  Life is unbearable.  I wish I were dead.

 Many of us have had suicidal thoughts at some point in our lives. Feeling suicidal is not a character defect, and it doesn't mean that you are crazy, or weak, or flawed. It only means that you have more pain than you can cope with right now. This pain seems overwhelming and permanent at the moment. But with time and support, you can overcome your problems and the pain and suicidal feelings will pass.

Things to do  Talk with someone every day.  Make a safety plan. Develop a set of steps that you can follow during a suicidal crisis. It should include contact numbers for your doctor or therapist, as well as friends and family members who will help in an emergency.  Make a written schedule for yourself every day and stick to it, no matter what. Keep a regular routine as much as possible, even when your feelings seem out of control.  Get out and hang out with other people.

 Make time for things that bring you joy. Even if very few things bring you pleasure at the moment, force yourself to do the things you used to enjoy.  Remember your personal goals. You may have always wanted to travel to a particular place, read a specific book, own a pet, move to another place, learn a new hobby, volunteer, go back to school, or start a family. Write your personal goals down.

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