Suicide
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[edit] What is Suicide?
Suicide is the taking of one's own life. Some facts from [www.save.org S.A.V.E. (Suicide Awareness Voices of Education] and other internet resources:
* Suicide is the 11th most frequent cause of death in America
* It is the 3rd leading cause of death among people aged 15-24
* More people die of suicide than homicide in America
* 30, 622 Americans were suicide victims in 2001
* Research from 1999 also shows that white males accounted for 72% of all suicides
* White male and females together accounted for over 90% of suicides
[edit] Recognize the warning signals
Carol Watkins, M.D. includes the following warning signs in her article, Suicide and the School: Recognition and intervention for suicidal students in the school setting: Warning Signs: Suicidal talk Preoccupation with death and dying. Signs of depression Behavioral changes Giving away special possessions and making arrangements to take care of unfinished business. Difficulty with appetite and sleep Taking excessive risks Increased drug use Loss of interest in usual activities
Some people may also have risk factors associated with suicide such as a history of attempted suicide, a history of severe depression, social isolation, recent loss (of friend or loved one), drug/alcohol abuse, pervasive feeling of hopelessness or helplessness, family history of mental illness, family history of suicide, sexual/physical abuse, access to guns or other lethal implements.
[edit] How to deal with a potential crisis situation
Several resources have information on helping someone who expresses a suicidal intent. Some of those steps are listed here. Refer to the websites below for more information.
TakeTalk Seriously - if a person is talking about contemplating suicide, that's a cry for help! Be willing to listen without judgement Let the person know that you care about him/her and that you are glad they came to you Call 911 if you perceive an immediate threat
One of the main ways to help prevent suicide, is to get the right professional help from a guidance counselor, psychologist, family physician, school nurse, psychiatrist, social worker, or even a teacher. You can also contact a community mental health or service agency, clinic, or school, in order to get in touch with the appropriate people.
[edit] Prevention
The following tools were listed in several resources as ways to help prevent suicide: Keeping a journal to help express and deal with feelings Seek professional help for depression or other mood disorders Seek counseling to help deal with grief and loss Become involved with healthy activities that foster social connections Talk to someone about suicidal feelings/urges Notice the triggers for these feelings and try to learn a different way to deal with the stimuli that precipitate suicidal thoughts Avoid drug and alcohol abuse
[edit] Signed ‿life experiences‿, testimonies and stories
When I was in high school, back in the 80's, suicide was much more popular than it seems to be today. I am thankful that the trend seems to have diminished. I went to several funerals of suicides back then, and witnessed firsthand the devastating effects on the families. Unfortunately, it seems to me that the trend has moved from suicides to school shootings that may end in suicide, but maybe thats just my perception. -S. Yunker
If there is one suggestion I could give to any person who knows of someone who is thinking about suicide, it is to take that threat seriously. I lost a very dear friend over 4 years ago to suicide and while I knew she was struggling with various issues, I never thought she would commit suicide. If I could go back in the past and change what I did for her I would do it all in a heart beat. Unfortunately we cannot go back in life and I will live with the feeling for the rest of my life.
M Hafenrichter
