Suicide The Silent Epidemic

1
Suicide The Silent Epidemic

• Kevin Thompson
• Director of Health Promotion
• Weber-Morgan Health Department

2
National Suicide Facts

• Suicide took the lives of 30,622 Americans in
  2001.
• Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the
  United States.
• For 15-24 year olds, suicide is the third leading
  cause of death, 86 male, 14 female.
• Suicide rates are higher than the national
  average in the intermountain states, including
  Utah, lower in the eastern and midwestern states.

3
National Suicide Facts

• Suicide by firearms is the most common method for
  both men and women, accounting for 55 of all
  suicides.
• Males are four times more likely to die from
  suicide than females.
• 72 of all suicides are committed by white men.
• 79 of all firearm suicides are committed by
  white men.

4
Attempted Suicides

• In 2001, 132,353 individuals were hospitalized
  following suicide attempts, 116,639 were treated
  in emergency rooms and released.
• There are an estimated 8-25 attempted suicides to
  one completion.
• Women report attempting suicide during the
  lifetime about three times as often as men.

5
Youth Suicide in Perspective

• Suicide is the third leading cause of death for
  adolescents and young adults.
• Since peaking in the early 1990s, suicide rates
  have fallen sharply for most adolescents.
• Within the past 12 months
• One in five adolescents seriously considered
  attempting suicide
• One in six made a specific suicide plan
• One in 12 attempted suicide
• A typical U.S. high school classroom includes one
  boy and two girls who attempted suicide in the
  past year.

6
Suicide Among the Elderly

• The highest suicide rates of any age group occur
  among persons aged 65 and older.
• The elderly have a higher prevalence of
  depression, are more socially isolated, more
  frequently use highly lethal methods, make fewer
  attempts per completed suicide, have a higher
  male-to-female ration, have often visited a
  health-care provider before their suicide, and
  have more physical illnesses.

7
Suicide Among the Elderly

• It is estimated that 20 of elderly persons who
  commit suicide visited a physician within 24
  hours of their act, 41 within a week, and 75
  within a month.
• Firearms account for 71 of elderly suicide
  followed by overdose (11) and suffocation (11)
• In 1998, men accounted for 84 of elderly
  suicides. Among males aged 75 years the rate for
  divorced men was 3.4 times and widowed men was
  2.6 times that for married men.

8
Utah Suicide Facts

• Utah has the 10th highest overall suicide rate in
  the U.S., 30 higher than U.S. rate.
• Suicide is now the leading cause of death for
  males age 15-44 in Utah.
• Demographically similar to U.S., 88 occur among
  males, 64 by firearm.
• While Nevada has the highest overall suicide
  rate, Utah, Montana and Wyoming have the highest
  youth suicide rates.

9
Risk Factors

• Previous suicide attempts
• Family history of suicide
• History of mental disorders, particularly
  depression
• History of alcohol and/or substance abuse
• Family history of child maltreatment
• Physical illness

10
Risk Factors

• Loss of interest in once-pleasurable activities
• Giving away cherished possessions
• Morbid ideation
• Feelings of hopelessness, helplessness and/or
  isolation
• Unwillingness to seek help because of stigma
• Cultural and religious beliefs

11
Risk Factors

• Recent loss (relational, social, work, or
  financial)
• Easy access to lethal methods
• Local epidemics of suicide
• Impulsive or aggressive tendencies
• Barriers to accessing mental health services

12
Utah Youth Suicide StudyUtah Dept. of Health,
University of Utah College of Medicine, Primary
Childrens Medical Center, Utah Suicide
Prevention Task Force

• Psychological Autopsies of 131 youth suicides
  cases
• 65 had contact with the juvenile justice system
• 41 had contact with DCFS
• 21 had contact with Child Protective Services
• 73 had contact with any agency
• 47 had a past history of school suspension or
  expulsion
• 39 had received a special education evaluation
• 28 of school-age youth had dropped out of school

13
Utah Youth Suicide Study

• Risk factors identified
• Males are at higher risk
• Contact with juvenile justice system increases
  risk 5 times
• Behavioral problems in school increases risk
• Intervention through DHS allows for earlier
  contact and possible prevention
• High rate of co-morbid mental disorders among
  males (mood disorders, substance and/or alcohol
  abuse, conduct disorder)

14
Verbal Warning Signs

• I am going to kill myself.
• I want to die.
• I cant stand living anymore.
• Dont worry about me, I wont be around much
  longer
• My family would be better without me.
• Ive had enough I am ending it all.

15
Protective Factors

• 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.
• Skills in problem solving, conflict resolution
  and nonviolent handling of disputes.
• Cultural and religious beliefs that discourage
  and support self-preservation instincts.

16
What to Do

• Be direct. Talk openly and matter-of-factly about
  suicide.
• Be willing to listen. Allow expressions of
  feelings. Accept the feelings.
• Be non-judgmental. Dont debate whether suicide
  is right or wrong, or feelings are good or bad.
  Dont lecture on the value of life.
• Source American Association of Suicidology

17
What to Do

• Get involved. Become available. Show interest and
  support.
• Dont dare him or her to do it.
• Dont act shocked. This will put distance between
  you.
• Dont be sworn to secrecy. Seek support.
• Source American Association of Suicidology

18
What to Do

• Offer hope that alternatives are available but do
  not offer glib reassurance.
• Take action. Remove means, such as guns or
  stockpiles pills.
• Get help from persons or agencies specializing in
  crisis intervention and suicide prevention.
• Source American Association of Suicidology