1. Death is inevitable. However, a cause of death that is on the rise is the intentional killing of oneself, otherwise known as suicide. Every age group has a risk of committing suicide and the government is taking actions to lower that risk. Although the government may be attempting to curb suicides, more action could be taken in an effort to cease the unnecessary deaths that face America. This problem facing America has quickly gained the attention of the masses for various reasons as suicide is an uneasy subject to discuss.

2. Suicide is a problem facing America and ranks number eleven on the top fifteen causes of death in the country.

3. (www.suicide.org)

5. The total number of suicides in the US jumped from 30,622 in 2001 to 32,439 in 2004. (www.cdc.gov)

6.  On average, someone attempts suicide every 40 seconds in the U.S.  On average, 88 people die by suicide each day in the U.S.  The national suicide rate is 11.1 per 100,000. The highest suicide rate is for 65+ white males = 29.0 per 100,000  The highest rate for all ages combined is white males = 17.7 per 100,000  The lowest rate for all ages combined is black females = 1.8 per 100,000 (www.suicide.org)

7. The National Institute of Mental Health believes that as many as 25 suicides are attempted for each one that is completed. That means that for every teen suicide that you hear of, there are probably at least 25 suicide attempts made. (www.teensuicide.us)

8. (www.worldlifeexpectancy.com)

9. Suicide is caused by a variety of things. Most suicides stem from depression, but just about anything can cause someone to resort to drastic measures to escape their pain.

11.  depression and other mental disorders, or a substance-abuse disorder (often in combination with other mental disorders). More than 90 percent of people who die by suicide have these risk factors.  prior suicide attempt  family history of mental disorder or substance abuse  family history of suicide  family violence, including physical or sexual abuse (www.suicidology.org) Risk Factors

12.  firearms in the home, the method used in more than half of suicides  incarceration  exposure to the suicidal behavior of others, such as family members, peers, or media figures. (www.suicidology.org) Risk Factors

13. Suicide is a major problem in the United States, but steps can be taken to further prevent it from happening.

14. Studies showed that a type of psychotherapy called cognitive therapy reduced the rate of repeated suicide attempts by 50 percent during a year of follow-up; cognitive therapy helps suicide attempters consider alternative actions when thoughts of self-harm arise. (www.nimh.nih.gov)

15. We must improve the ability of caregivers to recognize the risk factors of suicide better. (www.nimh.nih.gov)

16. More effective and safe medication could be developed.

18. The federal government should handle the safety of its population through the funding of suicide prevention programs.

20. Suicide is present in the world today, and it is up to the people and the government to put an end to it and make sure that statistics go down before more unnecessary deaths occur.

22.  http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publicatio ns/suicide-in-the-us-statistics-and- prevention/index.shtml http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publicatio ns/suicide-in-the-us-statistics-and- prevention/index.shtml  http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/suicide.ht m http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/suicide.ht m  http://www.suicide.org/suicide- statistics.html http://www.suicide.org/suicide- statistics.html  http://www.teensuicide.us/articles1.html http://www.teensuicide.us/articles1.html  http://www.suicidology.org/web/guest/hom e http://www.suicidology.org/web/guest/hom e  http://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/usa/su icide?order=1