Suicide

Facts and Statistics

• Eleventh leading cause of death in USA
  • Underreported; actual rate may be 2 to 3 times higher
• Most common among white and native Americans
• Particularly prevalent in young adults
  • Third leading cause of death among teenagers
  • Second leading cause of death in college students
  • 12% of college students consider suicide in a given year
• Gender differences
  • Males complete more suicides than females
  • Females attempt suicide more often than males
  • Disparity is due to males using more lethal methods
  • Exception: Suicide more common among women in China
  • May reflect cultural acceptability; suicide is seen as an honorable solution to problems

Risk Factors

• Suicide in the family
• Low serotonin levels
• Preexisting psychological disorder
• Alcohol use and abuse
• Stressful life event, especially humiliation
• Past suicidal behavior
• Plan and access to lethal methods

Suicide Contagion

• Some research indicates that a person is more likely to commit suicide after hearing about someone else committing suicide
• Media accounts may worsen the problem by
  • Sensationalizing/romanticizing suicide
  • Describing lethal methods of committing suicide

Suicide Prevention

• In professional mental health
  • Clinician does risk assessment (ideation, plans, intent, means, etc.)
  • Clinician and patient develop safety plan (e.g., who to call, strategies for coping with suicidal thoughts)
  • In some cases, sign no-suicide contract
• Preventative programs for at-risk groups
  • CBT can reduce suicide risk
• Important: removing access to lethal methods
• If you think someone is at risk, talk to them and ensure they’re getting needed support
  • Talking to someone about suicide is not likely to place them at greater risk or “plant the idea”
  • In contrast, the risk of not providing support to someone in need is huge