Will talking about suicide give people the idea to do it? Could we do more harm than good?
Talking about suicide does not cause suicide to occur. In fact, it can be an excellent prevention tool. People who are not suicidal reject the idea, while people who may be thinking about it usually welcome the chance to talk about it. Often they are relieved because they feel that someone else recognizes their pain. Talking breaks the secrecy that surrounds suicidal behavior, and lets people know that help is available. By not talking about suicide, we increase the isolation and despair of individuals thinking about it.
What causes suicide?
Suicidal behavior is one of the most complicated of human behaviors. This question cannot be answered briefly. There is no research that shows that a particular set of risk factors can accurately predict the likelihood of imminent danger of suicide for a specific individual. It is fair to say that suicidal people are experiencing varying degrees of external stressors, internal conflict and neurobiological dysfunction and these factors contribute to their state of mind. Depression, anxiety, conduct disorders, and substance abuse all contribute to the possibility of suicide, but they do not cause suicide. A "final straw" for suicide is usually the last thing that a person who kills him/herself is thinking about, and many left behind want to blame that person or event, but the "final straw" was NOT the cause of the suicide. Many people who kill themselves had no "final straw" that others could see. The reasons behind a suicide often remain a mystery.
Doesn't suicide happen mostly in troubled individuals who come from difficult family situations?
NO. It is really important to understand that suicidal behavior occurs in all socioeconomic groups. People of all ages, races, faiths, and cultures die by suicide, as do individuals from all walks of life and all income levels. Popular, well connected people who seem to have everything going for them and those who are less well off die by suicide. Suicidal youth come from all kinds of families, rich and poor, happy and sad, two-parent and single-parent. To suggest that suicidal youth come only from "bad," "sick," or "neglectful" families is like saying that only these kids get cancer. Historically, our culture has blamed the families of people who die by suicide and this behavior must stop. Suicide can happen in any family. We all must work together to identify and prevent suicidal behavior.
Don't most suicides happen without any warning signs?
There are almost always warning signs, but unless we know what they are, they can be very difficult to recognize. That is why suicide prevention education is so important. Research has demonstrated that in over 80 percent of deaths by suicide, a warning sign or signs were present.
Are people who talk about or attempt suicide just trying to get attention?
People who talk about or attempt suicide need immediate attention. They are trying to call attention to what they are experiencing as extreme emotional pain. Many believe that we should ignore these "cries for help" and "attention getting behaviors" because the attention will only encourage the behaviors. Suicidal individuals are trying to get attention the same way people shout if they are drowning, or are injured.
Is suicide preventable?
Yes, suicide may often be prevented. Many people believe that if someone is suicidal, there is nothing that anyone can do to stop them from killing themselves. Some also believe that those who don't kill themselves on the first attempt will keep trying until they die. The truth is that most young people face a suicidal crisis only once in a lifetime. A suicidal crisis is usually very brief, lasting from a few hours to a few days. With intervention and help, future attempts may be prevented. Experience and wisdom are gained in solving problems in other ways. While suicide is not always prevented, suicide prevention is ALWAYS worth trying.
What is meant by "suicide contagion" or "copy-cat" suicide?
These words describe a process by which exposure to suicide or suicidal behavior of one or more persons influences others who are already troubled and thinking about it to attempt and/or die by suicide. Sensationalized and repetitive media coverage of suicide has been associated with a statistically significant excess of suicide particularly among adolescents. Several well publicized "suicide clusters" have occurred. While there is no precise definition of a 'cluster,' it is fair to say that it needs to be considered when more suicides than would be statistically expected happen within a particular geographic area within a given time frame. The individuals who die may or may not have known each other, but somehow they may identify with each other. Often there are similarities in the manner of death. While one person's death is not the cause of another's, there may be shared vulnerabilities.
Are gay and lesbian youth at high risk for suicide?
Research studies vary greatly in their estimates of gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, transgender, and questioning (GLBTQ) youth who die by suicide. Recent analyses of research indicate that adolescents who report same-sex attractions or relationships are at 2 to 3 times the risk for suicide attempts. However, like the overwhelming majority of all youth, most GLBTQ youth report no suicidality at all. The risk factors of discrimination, victimization, bullying etc., put all youth at risk. These risk factors are important to address in suicide prevention.
Isn't it up to mental health experts to figure out how to manage youth who want to kill themselves?
Mental health workers are a key resource in responding to suicidal youth. They are trained to provide therapy and/or manage crises. It is important, however, to realize that anyone can learn how to intervene in suicidal behavior in basic, life-saving kinds of ways. It is up to all of us to become educated about suicide, get involved in community prevention efforts, and learn how to access help for someone who is feeling suicidal.
Are some car crashes really suicides?
It isn't known how many, but it has been estimated that perhaps up to 30% of single occupant fatal car crashes are suicides. These cases usually involve a car that hits a fixed object with no evidence of skidding, braking, or other evasive actions. Alcohol and drugs may or may not be involved. Actual "autocides" are when the driver leaves a note indicating that he/she used a vehicle as a means to die. On rare occasions there may be more than one person in the vehicle.
What percentage of college students who kill themselves are male? Why do you think more/ less boys than girls kill themselves?
Seventy-five to 80 percent are boys although more girls attempt suicide. Boys are more involved than girls in all forms of aggressive and violent behavior.
I've heard that suicides are more frequent around the holidays? Is this true, and if so, how much do they increase at that time?
Suicides are not more frequent during the holidays. It appears that the rates are the highest in April, and the summer months, June and July.
It is often said that a suicidal person goes through a period where he seeks for help from other people. Does this then mean that it could be ultimately the fault of other people (because they don't appear concerned enough) that one decides to kill him/herself?
Not a fair conclusion, although it could be a contributing factor in some cases particularly with elderly, terminally ill people.
What is the biggest cause of suicide among college students?
Ninety-five percent are suffering from mental illness, usually depression. If depressed, substance abuse, anxiety, impulsivity, rage, hopelessness and desperation increase the risk.
Apart from talking to a suicidal person and encouraging him/her to go for counseling, what else can we do to prevent this?
Going with someone to the counselor often helps. If the person won't listen to you, you may need to talk to someone who might influence him or her. Saving a life is more important than violating a confidence.
People often get uncomfortable when one discloses something as intimate and frightening as suicidal thoughts. What do you think can be done to reduce this stigma, either of suicidal people, or of depressive patients? Can people actually "change" their minds and accept someone who is suicidal?
As people recognize that suicidal behavior is the result of a medical condition not a sign of weakness or character defect it will change.
What are the most common warning signs?
Some estimate as many as 80% of those thinking about suicide want others to be aware of their emotional pain and stop them from dying. A warning sign does not automatically mean a person is going to attempt suicide, but it should be taken seriously. The warning signs that we pay particular attention to are: a prior suicide attempt, talking about suicide and making a plan, giving away prized possessions, preoccupation with death, signs of depression, hopelessness and anxiety, increased drug and alcohol use.
What is the most frequent method of suicide? Is the most frequent method different for men and women?
Fifty-two percent of all people who kill themselves do so with a firearm, accounting for almost 17,000 deaths each year in the U.S. Use of a firearm is the number one method in those aged 35 and up.
Why are some state’s teenage suicide rates much higher than others?
Youth suicide rates are highest in Alaska and the Rocky Mountain states. If you map the youth suicide rates by state, there is a striking difference between the eastern half of the USA and mountain regions in the west. We don’t know for sure why these rates are higher, but some theories include the largely rural territory, the vast land allocations to Native American reservations, poverty and a lack of easy access to resources.
How can schools and communities work together to prevent suicide?
The Centers for Disease Control recommends that local mental health agencies, crisis centers, clergy, health departments, medical organizations, injury prevention agencies, schools and other community members should work together to develop goals and strategies to prevent suicide.
Is it okay for a school to plant a tree or dedicate a bench in memory of a youth who has died by suicide?
These types of memorials can keep the death 'alive' and serve as a grim reminder of the loss. Because of the real concern about contagion there is a delicate balance between commemorating the life of the deceased and glamorizing a suicide.
*(These FAQ’s were taken from the Main Youth Suicide Prevention Program (http://maine.gov/suicide/about/faq.htm), American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (http://www.afsp.org/index.cfm?page_id=052618D2-02D2-04B4-00EDA31CFC336B63), and the Youth Suicide Prevention Program in Washington State (http://www.yspp.org/aboutSuicide/suicideFAQ.htm).)