Suicidal Thoughts or Threats

Topic Overview


In 1999, almost 30,000 Americans committed suicide. In the United
States:

Suicide occurs almost twice as often as homicide.
Suicide is the third leading cause of death for people ages 15 to 24.
Men are 4 times more likely to die from a suicide attempt.
Women make more suicide attempts.
72% of all suicides are among white men.
Suicide rates are higher than the national average in the western
states.
Unemployment increases the suicide rates of both men and women.
Nearly 3 of every 5 suicides are committed with a firearm.
Approximately 10% of people who attempt suicide will be successful.
Many people have fleeting thoughts of death. Fleeting thoughts of death
are not a problem and are much different from actively planning to
commit suicide. Your risk of committing suicide is increased if you
think about death and killing yourself often, or if you have made a
suicide plan.

Most people who seriously consider suicide do not want to die. Rather,
they see suicide as a solution to a problem and a way to end their
pain. People who seriously consider suicide feel hopeless, helpless,
and worthless. A person who feels hopeless believes that no one can
help with a particular event or problem. A person who feels helpless is
immobilized and unable to take steps to solve problems. A person who
feels worthless is overwhelmed with a sense of personal failure.

Most people who seriously consider or attempt suicide have one or more
of the following conditions:

A history of suicide attempts
A history of depression or other mental health illness, such as bipolar
disorder (manic-depressive illness) or schizophrenia
An alcohol or drug problem (substance abuse problem), such as
alcoholism


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Suicidal Thoughts or Threats

Topic Overview


The warning signs of suicide change with age:

Warning signs of suicide in teens and young adults
Warning signs of suicide in adults
Warning signs of suicide in older adults
Anytime someone talks about suicide or about wanting to die or
disappear, even in a joking manner, the conversation must be taken
seriously. A suicide attempt, even if the attempt did not harm the
person, also must be taken seriously. Don't be afraid to talk to
someone you think may be considering suicide. There is no evidence that
talking about suicide leads to suicidal thinking or suicide. Once you
know the person's thoughts on the subject, you may be able to help
prevent a suicide.

People who have suicidal thoughts may not seek help because they feel
they cannot be helped. This usually is not the case. Many people with
suicidal thoughts have medical conditions that can be successfully
treated. People who have suicidal thoughts often have depression or
substance abuse; both of these conditions can be treated. It is
important to seek help when suicidal thoughts occur, because medical
treatment usually is successful in diminishing these thoughts.

The possibility of suicide is most serious when a person has a plan for
committing suicide that includes:

Having the means, such as weapons or medications, available to commit
suicide or do harm to another person. Nearly 3 out of every 5 suicides
is committed with a firearm.
Having set a time and place to commit suicide.
Thinking there is no other way to solve the problem or end the pain.
People who are considering suicide often are undecided about choosing
life or death. With compassionate help, they may choose to live.