Even if suicide hasnt affected you in anyway.
Its good to know something right?
* 31,655 individuals completed suicide in 2002thats 86.7 people each dayone person approximately every 17.2 minutes.
* Of those 31,655 individuals, approximately 4,010 were youth between 15 and 24 years old
* Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the United States; however, it is the 3rd leading cause of death for youth (ages 15-24), exceeded only by accidents and homicides. Homicide is the 14th leading cause of death. More Americans kill themselves than are killed by others.
* Annually, 790,000 Americans have attempted to kill themselves.
* Youth have the second highest rate of completed suicide: for every 100-200 young people who attempt suicide, one successfully completes the act.
* Approximately 11.0 youth complete suicide each daythats one young person every 2 hours and 11 minutes.
* The elderly (ages 65 ) have the highest rate of completed suicides: approximately 5,548 elders completed suicide in 2002. For every four older adults who attempt suicide, one successfully completes the act.
* Approximately 15 elderly individuals complete suicide each day.
* Most youth complete suicide in their homes between the hours of 3 p.m. and midnight.
* Women are three times more likely to attempt suicide then men, but men are four times more likely to complete suicide then women.
* Firearms are the most common method used for completing suicide (54.0f all suicides were completed with a firearm); that is approximately 17,108 individuals who used firearms in 2002.
* Each suicide intimately affects at least 6 other people; thus, if there is a suicide every 16.6 minutes, then there are 6 new survivors every 16.6 minutes as well.
* Of the 31,655 documented completed suicides in 2002: 25,409 were males & 6,246 were females; 28,731 were white, 1,939 were black and 2,924 were non whites.
* Old people made up 12.3f 2002 population but committed 17.5f the suicides. Suicides comprise 12.7f all deaths among 15-24 year olds.
Teen suicide was the 3rd leading cause of death among young adults and adolescents 15 to 24 years of age, following unintentional injuries and homicide. The rate was 9.9/100,000
The adolescent suicide rate among youth ages 10-14 was 1.3/100,000 or 272 deaths among 20,910,440 children in this age group. The gender ratio for this age group was 3:1 (males: females).
The teen suicide rate among youth aged 15-19 was 7.9/100,000 or 1,611 deaths among 20,271,312 teenagers in this age group. The gender ratio for teenage group was 5:1 (males: females).
Among young people 20 to 24 years of age, the youth suicide rate was 12/100,000 or 2,360 deaths among 19,711,423 people in this age group. The gender ratio for this age group was 7:1 (males: females).
Other research indicates that:
There are an estimated 8-25 attempted suicides for each teen suicide death; the ratio is higher in women and youth and lower in men and the elderly.
More women than men report a history of attempted suicide, with a gender ratio of 3:1.
Four out of five teens who attempt suicide have given clear warnings.
Pay attention to these teen suicide warning signs:
Suicide threats, direct and indirect
Teen depression
Obsession with death
Poems, essays and drawings that refer to death
Dramatic change in personality or appearance
Irrational, bizarre behavior
Overwhelming sense of guilt, shame or reflection
Changed eating or sleeping patterns
Severe drop in school performance
Giving away belongings
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An average of one person every 18 minutes dies by suicide.
Why do people kill themselves?
The simple answer is: because theyre very sick. Healthy people do not commit suicide. More than 90% of people who commit suicide suffered from a significant psychiatric illness at their time of death. It may seem simplistic, but it's the most honest and basic answer to a complex question. Education and frank discussion are simple ways to help reduce the stigma that prevents a depressed person from seeking the help he needs.
Do people attempt suicide to prove something or to get sympathy?
A suicide attempt is a cry for help that should never be ignored. It is a warning that something is terribly wrong. Chronic major depression can lead to feelings of desperation and hopelessness, and a suicide attempt is one way some people choose to express these feelings. Most people who attempt or commit suicide dont really want to die they just want their suffering to end. A suicide attempt must always be taken seriously. Without intervention and proper treatment, a person who has attempted suicide may be at risk of another attempt, and possible suicide.
What are depression and depressive illnesses?
Depression and depressive illnesses occur when chemicals in the brain, such as serotonin, become unbalanced or disrupted. A person who has depression does not think like a healthy person. The illness can prevent her from understanding the options available to help relieve her suffering.
Many people who suffer from depression report feeling as though theyve lost the ability to imagine a happy future, or remember a happy past. Often they don't realize theyre suffering from a treatable illness, and seeking help may not even enter their mind. Emotions and even physical pain can become unbearable. They don't want to die, but it's the only way they feel their pain will end. It is a truly irrational choice. Suffering from depression is involuntary, just like cancer or diabetes, but it is a treatable illness that can be managed.
How do alcohol and drugs affect depression?
Alcohol or drug use can be lethal for a person suffering from depression. Attempting to alleviate the symptoms of depression by drinking or using drugs can increase the risk of suicide by impairing judgment and increasing impulsivity.
Can a suicidal person mask her depression?
Many people suffering from depression and even contemplating suicide can hide their feelings and appear to be happy. Sometimes a suicidal person will give clues as to how desperate she feels. Familiarize yourself with the symptoms of depression and the warning signs of suicide, and don't be afraid to ask direct questions about feelings of the person you're concerned about.
Is a person at increased risk to commit suicide if hes been exposed to it in his family or has had a close friend die of suicide?
Suicide tends to run in families, but this is generally attributed to the genetic component of depression and related depressive illnesses. A healthy person talking about a suicide or being aware of a suicide among family or friends does not put her at risk for attempting suicide. Failing to treat or mistreating depressive illnesses puts a person at increased risk of suicide. Remember that not all people with depression have suicidal thoughts.
Why don't people talk about depression and suicide?
Stigma is the main reason depression remains a topic we avoid. People suffering from depression fear others will think theyre crazy, or weak, or somehow a lesser person. Cultural norms are slowly changing, and people are becoming more aware of the nature of depressive illnesses and their impact on a persons well being. Education will help reduce stigma and save lives.
Alcoholism and drug addiction are examples of medical conditions previously attributed to a weakness of character. Today, they are widely recognized as diseases and people feel comfortable openly discussing the impact of the disease and seeking help through a variety of treatments. The dangers of alcohol and substance abuse have been the subject of major national public health campaigns in the United States leading to a general public more aware of the value of prevention.
Will "talking things out" cure depression?
Studies continue to show that a combination of psychotherapy (talking therapies) and antidepressant medication is the most effective way to treat depression. In some cases, well-supported psychotherapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or interpersonal therapy can considerably alleviate the symptoms of depression, however, a medical doctor should supervise any course of treatment.
Why do people attempt suicide when they appear to feel better?
Sometimes a severely depressed person contemplating suicide doesn't have enough energy to attempt it. As the disease lifts she may regain some energy but feelings of hopelessness remain, and the increased energy levels contribute to acting on suicidal feelings. Another theory proposes that a person may "give in" to the disease because she can't fight it anymore. This relieves some anxiety, which makes her appear calmer in the period preceding a suicide attempt.
If a person's mind is made up can they still be stopped?
NEVER GIVE UP on someone contemplating suicide. For a person determined to commit suicide the desire to live is overshadowed by the seeming hopelessness of the disease. The decision to commit suicide is really a desire to stop suffering. Never give up on someone just because he says he's made up his mind. Depression is a crisis of energy and intervening to help the person regain perspective and aggressively fight the disease can help reverse the downward trend toward suicidal thoughts.
Is depression the same as the blues?
No. Depression is a brain illness that can be clinically diagnosed by a medical doctor. While it's normal and even expected to feel badly about losing someone you love or experiencing a disappointing or traumatic event, to consistently experience the symptoms of depression for longer than two weeks under normal circumstances may indicate the presence of an illness.
Why do depressive illnesses sometimes lead to suicidal thoughts?
There is a direct link between depressive illnesses and suicide. Untreated depression is the number one cause of suicide. Depressive illnesses can distort thinking, so a person cant think clearly or rationally. The illness can cause thoughts of hopelessness and helplessness, which may lead to suicidal thoughts. Education about the symptoms of depression and the warning signs of suicide help people understand that depression and related depressive illnesses are treatable.
What causes a depressive illness?
Depressive illnesses are biological illnesses related to imbalance or disrupted brain chemistry. The brain is an organ of the body and can get sick just like the heart, liver, or kidneys.
A combination of genetic, psychological, and environmental factors play a role in how and when a depressive illness manifests. Because these are illnesses, stress doesn't necessarily have to be present, but can trigger or exacerbate a depression. Depression can appear out of nowhere, when there would be no reason for a person to feel depressed.
People of all ages, including infants and children (who may be born with a chemical imbalance), can suffer from depressive illnesses. Since they may be genetically pre-disposed to depression, a person may be at higher risk than someone whose family doesn't have a history of depression. This doesn't mean everyone will inherit a depressive illness.
What are the different types of depressive illnesses?
Types of depression include: Seasonal affective disorder, Unipolar Depression, Dysthymia, Cyclothymia, Atypical Depression, Premenstrual Syndrome
Can depressive illnesses be treated?
Yes. There are various ways to treat depressive illnesses depending on the type of illness, the severity, and the age of the person being treated. A person suffering from depression should not try to manage her own illness. Knowing and recognizing the signs of depressive illness, helps her avoid needless suffering through treatment. Depression is a condition like diabetes or high blood pressure that can be effectively managed with the help of a physician.
Research shows a combination of antidepressant medication and psychotherapy to be the quickest, most effective treatment. Often, antidepressant medication is needed to allow a person to think clearly in psychotherapy (talking therapy.) There are several types of psychotherapy, but two have proven most beneficial in treating depressive illnesses.
Cognitive therapy focuses on trying to change a person's negative thinking and the inaccurate perceptions they have of themselves and their environment. People are taught to think logically, and to avoid negative self-talk.
Interpersonal therapy teaches a person how to successfully interact with others. Depressive illnesses interfere with how a person treats his family, friends, and co-workers, which affects how they treat him in return. Interpersonal therapy focuses on social skills.
antidepressant medication is needed to allow a person to think clearly in psychotherapy (talking therapy.) There are several types of psychotherapy, but two have proven most beneficial in treating depressive illnesses.
Cognitive therapy focuses on trying to change a person's negative thinking and the inaccurate perceptions they have of themselves and their environment. People are taught to think logically, and to avoid negative self-talk.
Interpersonal therapy teaches a person how to successfully interact with others. Depressive illnesses interfere with how a person treats his family, friends, and co-workers, which affects how they treat him in return. Interpersonal therapy focuses on social skills.
Suicide is not chosen; it happens
when pain exceeds resources for coping with pain.
If you're feeling suicidal:
- Find a crisis number for your state
-http://suicidehotlines.com/
- Your local ER will always admit you if you feel unsafe
- 911 will also always send an ambulance
If someone you know is feeling suicidal
- http://www.metanoia.org/suicide/whattodo.htm
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