Estimated that 700,000 people each year, 31,000 in the United States
Estimated that 700,000 people each year, 31,000 in the United States
600,000 unsuccessful attempts in the US each year
11th most common cause of death in the US according to the US National Center for Health Statistics—about 1.3 %of all deaths
Depressed individuals are 50X more likely to commit suicide than nondepressed; 40-60% of those who complete suicide are in a depressive episode or recovery phase
Only half of those who commit suicide are found to have close friends
China—300,000 suicides a year—gender gap—accounts for about 50 % of female suicides around the world
Peak age used to be 25-44. Now it is 18-24.
Peak age used to be 25-44. Now it is 18-24.
Four times as many men as women die from it. But women are 3x as likely to attempt and fail.
Highest rate of completed suicides is among the elderly.
Method of suicide varies among genders—males—firearms and hanging. Women—pills
Other high risk groups—schizophrenia, alcoholics, divorced people, people living alone, people from socially disorganized areas, certain professions (highly creative or successful scientists, physicians, psychologists, businessmen, composers, writers, and artists)
Rates in US are about twice as high for whites as for African Americans and Hispanics, but Native American rate are 1.5 times higher than national average
Children
Children
Rates increasing--up 70% for kids 5-14 since 1981
Increased risk if child has lost parent or been abused.
Absolute numbers are still low (.7 per 100,000 or about 500)
Interviews with school kids find that between 6 and 33 % have thought about suicide.
Adolescents
Suicide is the third leading cause of death
About ½ of all teens have thought of killing themselves
Period of adolescence creates a stressful climate of growth, conflicts, etc. Teens tend to react more sensitively, angrily, dramatically, and impulsively than other age groups.
Rate of attempts to completions may be as high as 200:1
Hopelessness, cognitive rigidity—dichotomous thinking (Suicide was the only thing I could do)
Impulsivity and risk taking
Biological causal factors—
Biological causal factors—
Concordance rates in MZ twins is 19X higher than fraternal twins
Reduced serotonergic activity
Sociocultural factors
Rates vary from one society to another-Lithuania 42, Russia 37, 32/100,000
Japan—suicide long been an acceptable solution to serious problems—death is an appropriate response to shame; death is also freeing oneself from illusion and suffering
Communication of intent
40% communicate intent in clear and specific terms
Additional 30 % had talked about death and dying
50 % had never seen a mental health professional
15-33% leave notes—typically coherent and legible younger people’s notes express more hostility
