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When is comes to suicide, the facts are startling...
- Every 42 seconds someone attempts suicide
- Every 18 minutes someone dies by suicide
- Nationally, an average of 80% of suicides are men
- The highest suicide rates in the U.S.
are found in white men over age 18
- Five times as many men than women commit
suicide; however, women attempt suicide 2-3 times as often as
men
- Approximately 57% of U.S. suicides are committed with a gun
- The number of deaths from suicide each
year is approximately the same as the number of deaths from AIDS
- More than 90% of people who kill
themselves have a diagnosable mental disorder, commonly a depressive
disorder or a substance abuse disorder
- The suicide rate in young people
has been increasing dramatically over the last few decades.
- In the United States, there is
an average of one suicide among the elderly every 90 minutes
- In Washington State, suicide is the 2nd leading cause of
death for among 15 to 24 year olds. Current trends indicate
that it may become the leading cause of death among this age group
in 2005.
- In Washington State, an average 1 out of 5 teens considers
suicide and 2 teens commit suicide every week
- Between 35% and 40% of adults who commit suicide have some
significant physical illness
Despite these grim statistics, you need
to know that suicide is preventable. Most people (about 80%) who commit
suicide give verbal or behavioral clues to the impending event and
the # 1 cause of suicide is untreated depression.
The following are
some "warning signs" of suicide.
Note: The diagnosis and treatment of depression and other psychiatric
disorders requires trained medical professionals. The information
provided below is to be used for educational purposes only. It should
NOT be used as a substitute for seeking professional care for the
diagnosis and treatment of any mental/psychiatric disorders.
Hopelessness/Helplessness
Panic/Anxiety
Feelings of guilt and/or shame
Depression
Moodiness
Irritability/anger
Increased crying
Persistently sad or “empty” mood
Sudden euphoria or happy/calm mood
Feelings of worthlessness
Talking about suicide, making a plan
or preoccupation with death
Giving prized possessions away
Change in weight/appetite
Increase or decrease in sleep
Dangerous or impulsive behavior
Self injurious behavior (i.e. cutting or burning oneself)
Drug or alcohol abuse
Previous suicide attempts
Family history of suicide attempts
Withdrawal from family/friends, isolating
Preparation for death (i.e. setting one’s affairs in order)
Loss of interest in things that normally one cares about If
you suspect a friend or loved one is considering suicide, take your
suspicion seriously.
Click to the next page to learn intervention
strategies...
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