Suicide As many as one in six people will become seriously suicidal at some point in their life. No suicide attempt or talk of suicide should be dismissed or treated lightly. Suicidal thinking is typically associated with an underlying mental illness. Most often it is associated with clinical depression, anxiety disorders, chemical dependency, and other disorders which produce profound emotional distress and interfere with effective problem solving. The good news is that there are many effective treatments available to address mental illness, and the majority of people who receive appropriate treatment improve or completely recover. While suicide is a complex behavior, early recognition and treatment of underlying mental illness can reduce the risk for suicide. What Causes a Person to Commit Suicide? Among the immediate motives for suicide are despair, hopelessness, illness, humiliation, loss of employment, loss of a relationship, death in the family, guilt, or psychotic delusions. It is estimated that 90-95 percent of suicides involve depression and other brain disorders. Many high-risk groups and/or factors can lead a person to commit suicide: Depression: Between 30 percent and 70 percent of suicide victims suffered from major depression or bipolar disorder. Substance Abuse: An estimated 50 percent of suicides involve substance abuse. The rate of suicide in alcoholics is 3 to 4 times the average, and for narcotics users it is 5 times the average. Often, depression is also a factor in these cases. Schizophrenia: One-third of people with schizophrenia attempt suicide, and 5-10 percent eventually succeed. The majority of people with schizophrenia who are suicidal are young, unemployed males with no families. They are usually isolated and may also have substance abuse problems. Additionally, suicidal behavior may result from hallucinations or delusions that are symptoms of schizophrenia. Adolescence: Young people (age 15 to 24) account for 20 percent of male suicides and 14 percent of female suicides. Suicide attempts are among the leading causes of hospital admissions in people under 35. Aging: Elderly white males have the highest suicide rate of any other group. An estimated 40 percent of all suicide victims are people over 60. This may be an increasing problem as baby boomers become older. What Are the Warning Signs? Previous suicide attempts Depression or bipolar disorder Substance abuse Talk of death or interest in death Verbal cues such as "You would be better off without me" or "Maybe I won't be around anymore" Having a specific plan on how to commit suicide Expressions of hopelessness and/or helplessness Daring and risk-taking behavior, such as driving recklessly Personality changes (i.e., withdrawal, aggression, moodiness) Giving away prized possessions Lack of interest in the future Preventing Suicide/Crisis Intervention In order to prevent suicide the underlying mental illness must be treated. Therefore, it is critical for someone displaying the warning signs listed above to get help from a mental health professional. Professionals are trained not only in mental illness, but also in addressing crisis situations, responding to cues and intervening effectively. Most suicidal people try to seek help in some way. For instance, while many suicidal people won't ask for help directly, the majority will reveal suicidal thoughts when asked. If a Friend or Relative is Suicidal Trust your instincts and believe that the person may attempt suicide. Take that threat seriously. Talk with the person about your concerns and show you care and want to help. Ask direct questions. The more detailed their plan, the greater the immediate risk. Listen and offer support. Remove all guns from the home. (63 percent of all adolescent suicides are committed with a gun.) Help the person seek mental health services from a professional, even if the person resists. Do not leave the person alone. Do not swear to secrecy. Do not act shocked or judge the person. Do not counsel the person. Suicide Stats Every year over 1,200 Ohioans are among the 30,000 Americans who die from suicide. Every 18 minutes, another life is lost to suicide in this nation. The number of suicides in the U. S. exceeds the number of homicides. Each death by suicide has a lifelong affect on at least six other individuals. The highest risk groups are youth, middle-aged men and the elderly. More than 90-95% of suicides are linked to depression and other brain disorders. One in four people who attempted suicide have a relative who took his/her life. In the U.S., an estimated 60% of people who commit suicide use a gun. Suicide rates are highest in states where the majority of households contain guns. Need Help? Call: National Hopeline Network 1-800-784-2433 (24-hour) Need Information? Visit: American Association of Suicidology American Foundation of Suicide Prevention Mayo Clinic Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Return