Suicide
A Reference Guide For Help
Describing the Disease:
What Are The Warning Signs?
- Depression, other mental disorders, or substance abuse disorder
- A prior suicide attempt
- Family history of a mental disorder or substance abuse
- Family history of suicide
- Family violence, including physical or sexual abuse
- Having guns or other firearms in the home
- Incarceration, being in prison or jail
- Being exposed to others' suicidal behavior, such as that of family members, peers, or media figures.
What the #s say:
Over 41,000 people die by suicide each year in the United States. More than twice as many people die by suicide each year than by homicide .
Suicide And Gender:
Men are more likely to die by suicide than women, but women are more likely to attempt suicide. Men are more likely to use deadlier methods, such as firearms or suffocation. Women are more likely than men to attempt suicide by poisoning.
Suicide And Children:
Children and young people are at risk for suicide. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for young people ages 15 to 34.
Podcast on Warning Signs for Childhood Suicide
Suicide And Different Race/Ethnic Groups:
Among racial and ethnic groups, American Indians and Alaska Natives tend to have the highest rate of suicides, followed by non-Hispanic Whites. Hispanics tend to have the lowest rate of suicides, while African Americans tend to have the second lowest rate.
Suicide And Older Adults:
Older adults are at risk for suicide, too. While older adults were the demographic group with the highest suicide rates for decades, suicide rates for middle aged adults have increased to comparable levels (ages 24-62). Among those age 65+, white males comprise over 80% of all late life suicides.
Who is at risk for suicide?
How can suicide be prevented?
If you are in crisis
Website: http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
Phone: 1-800-273-8255
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/800273TALK
Twitter: @800273TALK
Additional Resources
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
- Veterans Crisis Line
- National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention
- National Council on Behavioral Health Webinar Series on Suicide Prevention
- National Strategy for Suicide Prevention
- NIMH Multimedia on Suicide Prevention
- NIMH Statistics on Suicide
- National Library of Medicine - Suicide
- Take 5 To Save Lives
- StopBullying.org