Suicides in America
by: Rebekah Moore
Suicide methods
A suicide method is any means by which a person commits suicide, purposely taking his or her own life. There are two methods that suicide methods are classified: physical or chemical. Chemical methods of suicide produce latent evidence of action, where as physical methods provide direct evidence.
10 Facts About Suicide - Suicide Facts
Facts and Figures
In 2011 (the most recent year for available data) 39,518 suicides were reported. Suicide is in fact the 10th leading cause of deaths for Americans. Every 13.3 min someone in the United states dies from suicides. Over half of suicides occur from adult men age 25-65. There are four male suicides for every one female suicides. There is an estimated 8 to 25 attempted suicides to 1 completion.
Suicides by depression
Over 90 percent of people who die by suicide have a mental illness at the time of their death. The most common illness is depression. Some people may go around looking happy and perfectly okay. Without understanding or warning they could take their life. In this case they may be genetically depressed so the symptoms are not obvious to us. Depression is many times triggered by many negative life experiences. The person may have not have gotten treatment or may have not received ineffective treatment.
suicides by wrist cutting
Wrist cutting is practiced with the goal of self-mutilation and not suicide. However cutting can lead to death if the bleeding continues without being checked, cardiac arrhythmia,shock,hypovolemia,circulatory collapse and cardiac arrest. A failed suicide can lead to injury of the tendons of the extrinsic flexor muscles or the ulnar and median nerves which control the muscles of the hand. This process can result in temporary or permanent reduction in the person's sensory and motor ability.
Suicides by jumping from height
A victim who is trying to kill themselves may try jumping from great heights. Examples are bridges, balconies, windows etc. The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco is the #1 suicide site in the world. Failure in death can result in paralysis, organ damage, and bone fractures. Jumping is the least common suicidal attempt in the U.S.
Drug overdose
Overdose is a method by taking medications in doses larger than the indicated level. Another form is combining medications that will react in a harmful way. A typical drug over dose uses over the counter medication or random prescription. When using this kind of medication the user is not likely to die. The user may end up having severe organ damage, which may turn out to be fatal. Having a high dose of medication can lead to vomiting or unconsciousness.
Life experiences that cause depression
- Death of a loved one
- A divorce in the family
- drug or alcohol abuse
- sexual abuse
- feeling hopeless
- physical abuse
- verbal abuse
- An illness
- low self-esteem
Kurt Cobain's Suicide story
Statistics show that many kids in the U.S see suicide as honorable. Media has a big impact on topics like depression and suicide. Books, movies and magazines can make cutting, anorexia, depression etc look glamorous. Actors, actresses, song writers and musicians also have an impact on teens. Many famous people for example, Whitney Houston, Robin Williams, Marilyn Monroe, Curt Cobain and so many more have ended their own lives. Kurt Cobain had a huge impact on his fans. Kurt Cobain was the leader singer and song writer in the group Nirvana. Kurt had millions of fans and his music was a rage. Like many musicians and famous people he struggled with a heroin addiction, illness and depression. On April 8, 1994 Kurt was found dead in his house in Seattle. Kurt Cobain was found with a shotgun and a visible wound on his head. Near him was a suicide note. The note that Kurt Cobain leaves is not sad, but rather a farewell and that his death was for the best. This scene right here does not portray a negative outlook on suicide. Instead it leaves ideas and an impression on us.