Suicide Statistics
In spite of commended noble efforts in trying to lower incidents of suicide attempts and suicide by death, there has been a steady increase over the beginning of the 21st century (Caine, 2013). Suicide declined in the 1990s; however, by 1999, the suicide rate was up to 10.46 per 100,000 people in the United States. In fact, by 2008, suicide was the tenth leading death in the country after a long stand in eleventh place. By 2010 suicide was ranked third as the cause of death between the ages 15 to 24 years old; hence, there stands a total of 4,600 deaths between the ages 15 to 24 years following unintentional injury (12,341) and homicide (4,678) deaths. Furthermore, it has been reported that there were 37,233 deaths by suicide in 2011. Suicide far exceeds homicide deaths, the sixteenth rated cause of death which accounts for 16,259 lives in 2010. Both male and female suicides are on the rise from age 14 to 24 years of age followed by statistics of those ranging from 25 to 34 years old of which were 5,735 deaths in 2010. In addition, the cost of suicide estimates in 2005 was higher than $34.6 billion increase from 32,637 deaths which included medical costs, and absenteeism from work. Since that estimate, suicides have risen to almost 6,000 while homicides have declined by 2,000. Hospitalization costs from self-harm emergencies were near $6.4 billion indicating an increase in 2005. It is clear in noting that suicide and attempted suicide have distinguished consequences not only for deaths of those involved but for family, friends, and community as well as the economic repercussions.
Suicide and Attempted Suicide Have Distinguished Consequences
It is clear in noting that suicide and attempted suicide have distinguished consequences not only for deaths of those involved but for family, friends, and community as well as the economic repercussions. According to U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher in 1999, who called for the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention (NSSP) to take action in the challenge of suicide prevention and attempted suicide, referred to it as a fight that could be won. Inspiring as this request seems, there are certain factors to be considered while separating inspiration and desire from accomplishment and real outcomes. Assessing and identifying risk factors for suicide such as depression, age, gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status, could effectively lower the high statistics and impact the challenges presented while addressing prevention and post-prevention for those affected.
Risk Factors
The risk factors for suicide and attempted suicide pose many challenges. According to the website of www.mentalhealth.va.gov., and its Suicide Risk Assessment Guide, risk factors include individuals with psychiatric disorders, especially major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD, anxiety, chemical dependency, and personality disorders such as, antisocial and borderline. In addition to these factors, the history of suicide attempts by an individual is the strongest indication of future attempts including death by suicide. In fact, intentional harm and intentional self-injury are also related to risk factors labeled as long term.
Warning Signs
When assessing suicide attempts, one would have to consider what warning signs to look for and which raises more concern than others. Thus, inclusive of risk factors are psychosocial components which correspond to one’s life events such as losses associated with employment, career, finances, housing, marital relationships, one’s health condition, and feelings of a grim future. Unfortunately, research indicates that the more risk factors present, the more likely one is apt to attempt suicide or die as a result. However, the three highest risk factors used when assessing an individual’s state for suicide, is: 1- the threat to hurt or kill oneself, 2- seeking out ways to harm or kill oneself, and 3-talk and/or writing about suicide or death. It is suggested that these top three warning signs be addressed as immediate short-term risks and require evaluation, referral, or determination of hospitalization as soon as possible. In addition to the three higher risk factors, other warning signs which need attention in the very near future include addressing an individual’s indication of anger, hostility, hopelessness, risky behavior, mood changes, alcohol and drug abuse, withdrawing from friends and family, anxiety, insomnia, and a hopelessness for the future. These less heightened risk factors should be considered as a threat as well and should be attended to in order to ensure the safety and well-being of the individual.
Suicide, Depression & Age Risk Factors
The correlation between depression and suicide attempts should be strongly considered especially when evaluating who is affected and what are some of those reasons why individuals are affected. Suicide attempts have been reported to be more common in younger age individuals, e.g., between the ages of 8 to 13. In repeated attempts, it is also common in young people between the ages of 10 to 14, as mentioned previously. Unfortunately, as age increases at the time of attempts, it becomes a risk factor in suicide which is ultimately accomplished. In addition to these facts, it has been found that younger aged people are a risk factor in suicide by intoxication. This risk has been reported to increase in older people for women but not for men. However, some researchers have found young men and women, between the ages of 23 to 30 to be an increased risk for suicide after attempts were made. Other researchers have found an increased risk for suicide after attempts both for men (23) and women (28) and as a result of intoxication for both sexes.
Suicide Over Our Life Span
Lastly, regarding gender, a study showed that in regards to ratios of intentional harm and injury to self, individuals hide significant changes in the ratio outcomes over their lifespan. Suicides have been known to decrease in older aged individuals especially with attempts; on the other hand, severe suicide attempts are found to be higher in older groups. Most studies indicate, in general, that suicide is a risk after attempts in older aged people. However, suicide is not uncommon with older people (CDC, 2005) over the age of 65; in fact, they represent approximately 20% of suicides (CDC, 2003). Suicide is especially significant with white males over the age of 65 (CDC, 2003) who are divorced, widowed, and/or single in relation to married people. In contrast, more men commit suicide overall than women (APA, 2003).
References
https://www.cdc.gov/
www.mentalhealth.va.gov.
APA (American Psychological Association)
