Suicide Prevention: Know the Signs

by | Mar 15, 2022 | Health and Safety

Suicide prevention is a popular topic of discussion in today’s society. Understanding the risk factors, knowing how to prevent loss, and what you can do to help is a huge resource for those you love. In today’s fast-paced, high-stress society, it seems that mental illness is on the rise. The best way to combat this treatable disease is to know the signs and do everything you can for suicide prevention.

How Did We Come to a Time When Suicide Prevention Became Essential?

Across the world, suicide is defined as the intentional taking of one’s own life. While the word suicide is universally known, it carries different traits depending on the culture. In fact, suicide is considered a criminal offense or religious taboo in some places, and even an act of honor in others.

While suicide refers to the act of actually taking one’s own life, the term attempted suicide is also widely used. Attempted suicide is when an individual tries to take their own life but is unsuccessful. The result of attempted suicide is generally self-injury.

Finally, assisted suicide is another term used in the context of suicide. This is a very controversial topic in the medical field. It refers to the act of assisting another person in taking their own life. When someone is accused of being involved in assisted suicide, they have been found to provide the means to carry out suicide or advice on how to do it.

Risk Factors for Suicide

Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the world, and the rates continue to rise. Statistically, suicide is more common in men than in women. For individuals ages 15-34, suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death. In general, the risk factors for suicide include:

  • Psychiatric disorders
  • Genetics
  • Substance abuse
  • Family situations
  • Social situations

In cases where one or more risk factors exist, the likelihood of suicide is higher. For example, if you suffer from a psychiatric disorder and use alcohol, you are more likely to fall victim to suicide. When risk factors co-exist with access to a means of suicide, the instances of suicides also increase. For example, rates of suicide in homes with a gun are higher than homes without them. When you add psychiatric disorders to that risk, it becomes greater.

Mental disorders are widely known as the most significant risk factor for those who commit suicide. Studies show that up to 90% of individuals who take their own lives are suffering from some sort of mental illness. Mental health disorders with the highest risk of suicide include:

  • Major Depressive Disorder
  • Bipolar Disorder
  • Schizophrenia
  • Personality Disorders
  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • Eating Disorders

Suicide Statistics

The following statistics on suicide have been reported by the CDC:

  • Approximately 105 Americans die from suicide every day.
  • That means one person dies every 12.3 minutes in the United States.
  • For every 25 attempted suicide attempts is one completed suicide.
  • In the United States, suicide rates are highest among Whites, American Indians, and Alaska Natives.
  • Males are four times more likely to commit suicide than females.
  • Females are four times more likely than men to attempt suicide.
  • The most common way men commit suicide is to use firearms.
  • Females are most likely to use poisoning to commit suicide.

Suicide Prevention Tips

Suicide prevention methods and treatment are based on patient risk factors. When a person experiences suicidal thoughts or acts on suicide thoughts, treatment is likely prescribed. Patients who suffer from mental disorders will likely be placed on a treatment plan for suicide prevention. The most common treatment is known as talk therapy. Medically referred to as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or Dialectical Behavior Therapy, talk therapy comes in two forms.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, helps teach patients new ways to deal with stress and stressful experiences. When thoughts of suicide arise, these patients are taught to redirect their thoughts and cope with them in a way that prevents them from committing suicide.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, is used to help an individual recognize their unhealthy feelings or actions. The therapy introduces techniques to deal with hard situations. In addition to these two types of therapies, medications have also been prescribed for suicide prevention.

Another means of prevention is awareness, especially among medical professionals. Since studies show that many individuals who commit suicide had sought medical attention within a year of their death, it’s likely that warning signs have been missed in the past. Increased awareness and education can help decrease the rates of suicide drastically.

Finally, suicide crisis hotlines are an effective way to prevent suicide. If you or someone you love is suicidal, they can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK. This hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All calls are confidential and anyone can call the toll free line.

How Can You Prevent Suicide?

Outside of the larger means of suicide prevention, we can all help reduce the risk as individuals. If someone you know is thinking about suicide, follow these tips:

  1. Take them seriously. Even if someone mentions suicide, then brushes it off, take them seriously. Thoughts of suicide or suicidal talk is not common and reflects signs of a bigger problem.
  2. Accept the fact that you might make someone angry in the midst of helping them through suicide. An angry friend is better than a dead friend.
  3. Ask questions. React. If the threat seems immediate, never leave the person alone.
  4. If you can’t stay with the individual who you’re worried about, take them to another responsible adult, wait for someone else to come take your place, or drop them at the nearest hospital.
  5. With each suicide attempt, the risk of suicide increases. Be sure those who have attempted suicide in the past follow through with continued treatment.
  6. Know the warning signs. These include:
    1. Change in mood. Increased sadness, anxiety, or irritability.
    2. Change in behavior. Increase or new presence of isolation.
    3. Change in sleep patterns.
    4. Change in appetite.
    5. Increase in aggression or impulsiveness.
    6. Increased agitation.
    7. Appearing desperate.
    8. Collecting possible means of suicide. For example, purchasing a gun.
    9. Talking about wanting to kill themselves. Making comments such as “no one will miss me.”
    10. Giving away prized possessions.

Remember, if being aware of the signs is the best way to prevent suicide if someone you love is suffering from suicidal thoughts. If the suicide prevention hotline doesn’t work, take your friend or family member, or yourself, to a psychiatric hospital walk-in clinic, hospital ER, urgent care, or clinic. In an emergency, you can count on us. Call 9-1-1 if you or someone you love needs help.