Suicide

SUICIDE

Kassondra Lopez

Abnormal Psychology

SUICIDE

Suicide is the intentional, direct, and conscious taking of one’s own life. Each year an estimated 36,000 people in the United States die by suicide (WebMD).

Statistics show that in the U.S:

• Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death.
• Suicide is the third leading cause of death for people ages 15 to 25 and the second leading cause of death for people 25 to 34.
• Suicide rates have increased for middle-aged and older adults.
• One suicide death occurs for every 14 suicide attempts.
• Women try suicide more often but men are 4 times as likely to die from suicide attempt.
• A gun is the most common method of suicide.

There are many different causes and reasons why people take their own lives. Suicide most often takes place when an individual that suffers from a mental health condition has excessive stress that is beyond their ability to cope. Depression is the most common mental health condition associated with suicide. The depression is often undiagnosed and untreated. There are many factors and many combinations of factors along with depression and serious mental illness. Some may include alcohol abuse, a painful loss, and exposure to violence, or social isolation may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

Risk factors are factors that make it more likely that individuals will develop a disorder. Risk factors are characteristics that make it more likely that a person will think about suicide or engage in suicidal behaviors.

Protective factors are not only the opposite of risk factors but are conditions that promote strength. Protective factors are used to turn individuals away from suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Risk factors and protective factors can be discovered at many different levels. Each individual is different so each factor will vary also.

Some risk factors to look for may include but are not limited to:

• Family history of suicide.
• Family history of child maltreatment
• Previous suicide attempts.
• History of alcohol or substance abuse.
• Feelings of hopelessness.
• Impulsive aggressive tendencies.
• Cultural and religious beliefs (suicide is a sin and not noble).
• Local epidemics of suicide.
• Isolation a feeling of being cut off from other people.
• Barriers of accessing mental health treatment.
• Loss (relational, social, work, or finances).
• Physical illness.
• Easy access to lethal methods (firearms and drugs).
• Unwillingness to seek help because of stigma.
• Attached to mental health and substance abuse disorders or to suicidal thoughts.

Some of the protective factors may include but are not limited to:

• 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 (connectedness).
• Support from ongoing medical and mental health care relationships.
• Skills in problem solving, conflict resolution, and non-violent ways of handling disputes.
• Cultural and religious beliefs that discourage suicide and support instincts for self-preservation.

Some warning signs to look out for if you are concerned that a person may be suicidal is a change in behaviors. Most people who commit suicide will show one or more warning signs either through something they say or something they do.

Some of the warning signs may include but are not limited to:

If a person talks about:

• Being a burden to others.
• Feeling trapped.
• Experiencing unbearable pain.
• Having no reason to live.
• Killing themselves.

Specific behaviors to look out for:

• Increased use of alcohol or drugs.
• Looking for a way to kill themselves, such as searching online for materials or means.
• Acting recklessly.
• Withdrawing from activities,
• Isolating from family and friends.
• Sleeping too much or not getting enough sleep.
• Visiting or calling people to say goodbye.
• Giving away prized possessions.
• Aggression.

People who are considering suicide often display one or more of the following moods:

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