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).
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
|
