Suicide is a major, preventable public health problem. Suicide is the eleventh most common cause of death in the United States. Suicide can be a very isolating experience for surviving family members because friends often don’t know what to say or how to help. Suicide attempts and threats should always be taken seriously. Suicide attempts that do not result in death far outnumber completed suicides.

Depression

Suicidal behaviors can accompany many emotional disturbances, including depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. Someone with severe depression is unable to see the possibility of a good outcome and may believe they will never be happy or things will never go right for them again. It’s as if the depression puts a filter on the person’s thinking that distorts things. When depression lifts because a person gets the proper therapy or treatment, the distorted thinking is cleared.

Prevention

A person who appears suicidal should not be left alone and needs immediate mental-health treatment. If you suspect a friend, family member or co-worker is considering suicide, ACT now: Acknowledge, Care, and help them get the Treatment he or she needs. Psychiatric intervention is one of the most important aspects of treatment.

If you need to talk to someone, please check the front of your phone book for your local hot line numbers, or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255). Get involved with others; actively support suicide prevention services in your area, or any worthwhile cause or issue that means something to you.

Support

Work with a therapist or counselor if problems are getting you down and depressed — or if you don’t have a strong support network, or feel you can’t cope. It can also help to join a support network for people who are going through the same problems — for example, anorexia and body image issues, living with an alcoholic family member, or sexuality and sexual health concerns. Part of it is staying connected to family, friends, school, faith, and other support networks.

Conclusion

Suicide cuts across all sex, age, and economic barriers. Suicide may occur more than once within a family, but it not something that is inherited. Suicide attempts are not easy to count because many may not be treated in a hospital or may not be recorded as self-inflicted injuries. Suicide affects all of us as survivors, victims, and rescuers. For additional support, call 1-800-SUICIDE, any time, day or night.

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