The day begins as any other day. We get up and go on about our daily lives as we always do. We eat breakfast, talk about the days plans, and carry our the activities of living. Then in one split second the world turns upside down.

Like every day my day begins and ends on the computer so I check my E-mail first. Then my heart stops. In September of 2004, a friend of mine died after committing suicide. She had a bunch of problems the last year of her life. Her kids about died from a rare blood condition, her dad was hospitalized on numerous occasions, she herself had undergone cancer surgery, and the breakup of her marriage followed by her husband demanding custody of the twins seemed the final straw.

Some people find no other way out when problems like these continue to mount. Many just can't handle the pain life seems to keep dishing out to them, and they find no other way out. Suicide seems the easy solution to complicated problems.

This young woman was in her 20's and found the only way to end her pain was a bunch of pills. She never came out of her coma. They turned off life support and gave her the end she had been seeking. Her brain had never shown any activity. Her living will required only limited time on life support.

I have lost others in this manner, but with her death it seemed to bring the whole problem of suicide to a screaming halt, and I knew it was time to add this to the problems covered in this site.

Occurrence

* Suicide took the lives of 30,622 people in 2001 (CDC 2004).
* Suicide rates are generally higher than the national average in the western states and lower in the eastern and Midwestern states (CDC 1997).
* In 2002, 132,353 individuals were hospitalized following suicide attempts; 116,639 were treated in emergency departments and released (CDC 2004).
* In 2001, 55% of suicides were committed with a firearm (Anderson and Smith 2003).

Groups At Risk

Males
* Suicide is the eighth leading cause of death for all U.S. men (Anderson and Smith 2003).
* Males are four times more likely to die from suicide than females (CDC 2004).
* Suicide rates are highest among Whites and second highest among American Indian and Native Alaskan men (CDC 2004).
* Of the 24,672 suicide deaths reported among men in 2001, 60% involved the use of a firearm (Anderson and Smith 2003).

Females
Women report attempting suicide during their lifetime about three times as often as men (Krug et al. 2002).

Youth
The overall rate of suicide among youth has declined slowly since 1992 (Lubell, Swahn, Crosby, and Kegler 2004). However, rates remain unacceptably high. Adolescents and young adults often experience stress, confusion, and depression from situations occurring in their families, schools, and communities. Such feelings can overwhelm young people and lead them to consider suicide as a “solution.” Few schools and communities have suicide prevention plans that include screening, referral, and crisis intervention programs for youth.

* Suicide is the third leading cause of death among young people ages 15 to 24. In 2001, 3,971 suicides were reported in this group (Anderson and Smith 2003).
* Of the total number of suicides among ages 15 to 24 in 2001, 86% (n=3,409) were male and 14% (n=562) were female (Anderson and Smith 2003).
* American Indian and Alaskan Natives have the highest rate of suicide in the 15 to 24 age group (CDC 2004).
* In 2001, firearms were used in 54% of youth suicides (Anderson and Smith 2003).

The Elderly
Suicide rates increase with age and are very high among those 65 years and older. Most elderly suicide victims are seen by their primary care provider a few weeks prior to their suicide attempt and diagnosed with their first episode of mild to moderate depression (DHHS 1999). Older adults who are suicidal are also more likely to be suffering from physical illnesses and be divorced or widowed (DHHS 1999; Carney et al. 1994; Dorpat et al. 1968).

* In 2001, 5,393 Americans over age 65 committed suicide. Of those, 85% (n=4,589) were men and 15% (n=804) were women (CDC 2004).
* Firearms were used in 73% of suicides committed by adults over the age of 65 in 2001 (CDC 2004).

Taken from the Suicide Fact Sheet which is no longer a working link. To get more facts on suicide, visit the Fact Sheet: Suicide.

Risk Factors

The first step in preventing suicide is to identify and understand the risk factors. A risk factor is anything that increases the likelihood that persons will harm themselves. However, risk factors are not necessarily causes. Research has identified the following risk factors for suicide (DHHS 1999):

* Previous suicide attempt(s)
* History of mental disorders, particularly depression
* History of alcohol and substance abuse
* Family history of suicide
* Family history of child maltreatment
* Feelings of hopelessness
* Impulsive or aggressive tendencies
* Barriers to accessing mental health treatment
* Loss (relational, social, work, or financial)
* Physical illness
* Easy access to lethal methods
* Unwillingness to seek help because of the stigma attached to mental health and substance abuse disorders or suicidal thoughts
* Cultural and religious beliefs—for instance, the belief that suicide is a noble resolution of a personal dilemma
* Local epidemics of suicide
* Isolation, a feeling of being cut off from other people

Protective Factors

Protective factors buffer people from the risks associated with suicide. A number of protective factors have been identified (DHHS 1999):

* Effective clinical care for mental, physical, and substance abuse disorders
* Easy access to a variety of clinical interventions and support for help seeking
* Family and community support
* Support from ongoing medical and mental health care relationships
* Skills in problem solving, conflict resolution, and nonviolent handling of disputes
* Cultural and religious beliefs that discourage suicide and support self-preservation instincts

Taken from the Suicide Fact Sheet which is no longer a working link. To get more facts on suicide, visit the Fact Sheet: Suicide provided by Screening for Mental Health - Information / FAQs.

Before you take the step to end your life, Read This First. You are not alone. There are others who have made it through this and so can you. The first step is to reach out. If you are worried about someone who may be depressed or down, you can also learn form the above web site. Know about what someone in this situation feels could help you reach them. Click on links in this section to learn about each item pertaining to suicide.

* How serious is our condition? “He only took 15 pills, he wasn’t really serious.” If others are making you feel like you’re just trying to get attention... read this.

* Why is it so hard for us to recover from being suicidal? While most suicidal people recover and go on, others struggle with suicidal thoughts and feelings for months or even years.

* Recovery from grief and loss Has anyone significant in your life recently died? You would be in good company. Many suicidal people have recently suffered a loss.

* The stigma of suicide This prevents suicidal people from recovering: we are not only fighting our own pain, but the pain that others inflict on us, and that we ourselves add to. Stigma is a huge complicating factor in suicidal feelings.

* Resources about depression If you are suicidal, you are most likely experiencing some form of depression. This is good news, because depression can be treated, helping you feel better.

* Handling a call from a suicidal person A very helpful ten-point list that you can print out and keep near your phone or computer.

* What can I do to help someone who may be suicidal? A helpful guide, includes Suicide Warning Signs.