NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION
SUICIDE IS PREVENTABLE sm.
Greetings,
We have prepared and organized the following excerpts of information and research based upon the latest data obtained from National Institute Of Health (NIH).
We hope and trust that this information will provide valuable insights and tools as to how and why Suicide Is Preventable sm along the challenges we face at the National Suicide Prevention.
Suicide a major public health problem and was the eleventh (11th) leading cause of death in the U.S. in 2004 based upon 32,439 actual deaths. The overall rate was 10.9 suicide deaths per 100,000 persons.
The risk factors for suicidal behavior is complex and suicide research shows some variance with
age, gender, ethnic group. Although, depression and other related mental disorders including substance-abuse account for more than ninety (90) percent of people dying by suicide, the following represents other significant risk factors.
a. Stressful life events, in combination with other risk factors, such as depression.
b. Family history of mental disorder or substance abuse & family history of suicide
c. Exposure to the suicidal behavior of others, such as family members,peers or media
d. Family violence,including physical or sexual abuse.
e. Firearms in the home the method used in more than half of suicides.
f. Prior suicide attempt
g. Incarceration
The research also has shown that the risk for suicide is associated with changes in brain chemicals
called neurotransmitters, including serotonin.
Decreased levels of serotonin have been found in people with depression, impulsive disorders, suicide attempters and in the post-mortem brains of suicidal individuals.
In 2004,suicide was the eighth leading cause of death for males and the sixteenth leading cause of death for females.Therefore,almost four(4X) times as many males as females die by suicide.
The most common overall methods of suicide are firearms,suffocation,and poison However, men and women differ in the method used, as shown in the chart below:
Firearms....... 57% by Males vs. 32% by: Females
Suffocation.... 23% by Males vs 20% by: Females
Poisoning...... 13% by Males vs 38% by: Females
The research also shows that adolescents and young adults were more likely to use firearms. Children were dramatically more likely to use suffocation.In 2004, suicide was the third leading cause of death of children, adolescents and young adults, based upon those who actually died by suicide.
Children ages........ 10 to 14yrs = 1.3 per 100,000
Adolescents ages ....15 to 19 yrs = 8.2 per 100,000
Young adults ages....20 to 24yrs = 12.5 per 100,000
There were also gender differences in suicides among young people, since nearly four (4x) times as many males vs. females ( ages 15yrs to 19yrs ) died by suicide and more than six (6X) times as many
males vs. females ages 20yrs to 24yrs died by suicide.
The research also shows that older Americans are more likely to take their lives by suicide than the general population national average of 10.9 suicides per 100,000 people. In 2004, persons age 65yrs and older took their own lives by suicide at the rate of 14.3 per 100,000. Further, non-hispanic white men ages 85 years or older had an even higher rate of suicide deaths.
The research also shows that risk factors for suicide attempts range from an estimated eight to Twenty five nonfatal suicide attempts occur per every actual suicide death. Further, women and young have more attempts than men and the elderly whose suicidal behaviors are more lethal.
The research also helps determine which factors can be modified to help prevent suicide and which interventions are appropriate for specific groups of people. Studies have shown 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 those who have previously attempted suicide to consider alternative actions when thoughts of self-harm arise.
Specific types of psychotherapy may be helpful for specific groups of people. In a recent study, a treatment called dialectical behavior therapy reduced suicide attempts by half, compared with other kinds of therapy, in people with borderline personality disorder.
Furthermore, The medication clozapine is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for suicide prevention in people with schizophrenia, Other promising medications and psychosocial treatments for suicidal people are being tested.
The strongest predictors of non-fatal suicide attempts by adults include depression and other mental disorders, alcohol abuse, cocaine use, and separation or divorce. The Risk factors for attempted suicide by youth include depression, alcohol or other drug-use disorder, physical or sexual abuse, and disruptive behaviors.
A prior suicide attempt is among the strongest predictors of subsequent suicide, and cognitive
Therapy helps suicide attempters consider alternative actions when thoughts of self-harm arise.
Most suicide attempts are expressions of extreme distress, not harmless bids for attention. A person who appears suicidal should not be left alone and needs immediate mental-health treatment.
The National Institute Of Health (NIH) recommends that, If you think someone is suicidal, do not leave him or her alone. Try to get the person to seek immediate help from his or her doctor or the nearest hospital emergency room, or call 911 and eliminate access to firearms or other potential tools for suicide, including unsupervised access to medications.
SUICIDE IS PREVENTABLE sm.
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10. Linehan MM, Comtois KA, Murray AM, Brown MZ, Gallop RJ, Heard HL, Korslund KE, Tutek DA, Reynolds SK, Lindenboim N. Two-Year Randomized Controlled Trial and Follow-up of Dialectical Behavior Therapy vs Therapy by Experts for Suicidal Behaviors and Borderline Personality Disorder. Archives of General Psychiatry, 2006 Jul; 63(7):757-766.
11. Meltzer HY, Alphs L, Green AI, Altamura AC, Anand R, Bertoldi A, Bourgeois M, Chouinard G, Islam MZ, Kane J, Krishnan R, Lindenmayer JP, Potkin S; International Suicide Prevention Trial Study Group. Clozapine treatment for suicidality in schizophrenia: International Suicide Prevention Trial (InterSePT). Archives of General Psychiatry, 2003; 60(1): 82-91.
12. Luoma JB, Pearson JL, Martin CE. Contact with mental health and primary care prior to suicide: a review of the evidence. American Journal of Psychiatry, 2002; 159: 909-16.
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NIH Publication No. 03-4594