Why Do People Attempt Suicide?

Why Do People Attempt Suicide?

A suicide attempt is a clear indication that something is gravely wrong in a person’s life. No matter the race or age of the person; how rich or poor they are, it is true that most people who die by suicide have a mental or emotional disorder. The most common underlying disorder is depression, 30% to 70% of suicide victims suffer from major depression or bipolar (manic-depressive) disorder.

No Suicide Attempt Should Be Dismissed Or Treated Lightly!

When someone dies by suicide, like any cause of death, the loss is felt by many. The ripples of loss spread from close family and friends to community members, acquaintances and even people the deceased did not know. All of those exposed to the loss may experience different levels of grief and trauma.

Mental health disorders and substance use disorders are the most significant risk factors for suicidal behaviors. In addition, environmental factors such as stressful life events and access to lethal means like firearms or drugs may increase the risk of suicide. Previous suicide attempts and a family history of suicide are also risk factors.

Financial causes

Loss of material wealth – reduced income, mounting debts and other financial disasters – can certainly provoke suicide. Numerous studies document that the unemployed have higher suicide rates than the employed. Others show that rates rise during economic downturns.

Suicide rates spiked during the Great Depression of the 1930s and were more prevalent in areas where banks folded, taking their customers’ savings with them.

Suicide rates – in the U.S. and many other countries – also rose during the Great Recession of 2008. Some argue, in many parts of the U.S., the recession never ended, which may help explain the rise in rural suicide.

Broken relationships

In addition to the loss of stature, people also might kill themselves over the loss of social ties. Sociologists have known for over a century that people with more and stronger social connections have lower rates of suicide. Marriage, parenthoodand other sources of social integration provide a protective effect. Suicide victims are more likely than others to live alone, tend to have fewer friends and are less involved in organizations. America’s long-term decline in civic and religious organizations– or even voluntary groups such as bowling leagues – likely exacerbates other issues that might encourage suicide. If lacking social ties is bad, the sudden shock of losing them is worse. Breakups and divorces are a common reason for suicide: One study of over 400,000 Americans found that being divorced more than doubled the risk of suicide. The same is true in other countries, and the risk is greatest immediately after the loss.

Shame

Reputation and good name are extremely important to most people, so all manner of shame and humiliation can cause suicide. The growth of social media has made people vulnerable to public shaming on a mass scale. Not surprisingly, social media shaming also provokes suicide.

FACTS TO KNOW

Populations with disproportionately high suicide rates include:

  • Males have a suicide rate 3.7 times higher compared with females.
  • American Indian/Alaska Native individuals have the highest suicide rates in the nation, followed by non-Hispanic white individuals. Suicide rates among Hispanic, Black, and Asian/Pacific Islander individuals are significantly lower than rates among American Indian/Alaska Native and white individuals.
  • Older adults have a higher suicide rate when compared with younger adults and adolescents. By age and gender, the highest suicide rate is among males ages 65 and older, followed by males ages 45 to 54. Among females, those ages 45-54 have the highest rate, followed by those ages 55-64.
  • Suicide rates among veterans were 1.5 times greater than non-veterans, after adjusting for age and gender in 2016.
  • Those living in rural areas compared with those living in urban areas.
  • LGBTQ adults and youth compared with heterosexual adults and youth.

WHAT WORKS?

Strategies to reduce suicide include:

  • Universal screening at emergency rooms to identifiy patients at higher risk of suicide.
  • Safety planning at emergency rooms to assist patients already identified as being suicidal. Patients receive a prioritized list of evidence-based coping strategies and sources of support. This intervention also provides telephone follow-ups until the patient receives treatment.
  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy to identify suicidal thoughts, images and beliefs before they lead to a suicide attempt.
  • Collaborative care, a team-based approach to suicide prevention, among the patient, their care manager and primary care provider to develop a treatment plan.
  • Reducing access to lethal means including access to firearms, lethal doses of medications and alcohol. Evidence from studies over the past two decades shows a strong association between the presence of a firearm in the home and an increased risk of suicide for the gun owner and the gun owner’s spouse and children. At the community-level, the Gun Shop Project builds partnership between firearms business and public health experts to provide firearm suicide prevention educational materials to firearms retailers, instructors and customers.

LOOKING FOR SUPPORT?

Hope Gatekeepers was created to support those dealing with suicidal ideation, family and friends trying to help a loved one with suicidal thoughts, and families and friends who have lost a loved one to suicide. We know firsthand the struggles, determination, desperation, and hardships that suicide brings. However, Hope Gatekeepers is dedicated to supporting the community with resources, support, love and hope.

Other resources for HELP:

If a person says they are considering suicide

  • Take the person seriously
  • Stay with them
  • Help them remove lethal means
  • Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
  • Text TALK to 741741 to text with a trained crisis counselor from the Crisis Text Line for free, 24/7
  • Escort them to mental health services or an emergency room
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