A lot of people think about suicide or say things like, “I wish I was dead” at times of great stress. For most people these thoughts are a way to express anger, frustration, and other strong emotions. They may not, in and of themselves be a sign of a problem. Suicidal thoughts could be a signal for help, though, if they:
- Don’t go away or occur often
- Lead to suicidal threats, gestures, or attempts
- Are a symptom of a medical illness or mental health condition such as:
- Depression (see page 186). Up to 70% of persons who commit suicide are known to have suffered from depression right before their deaths.
- Bipolar disorder (manic depression) – a mood disorder characterized by mood swings from elation and/or euphoria to severe depression. Suicide can take place during either the manic or depressive episodes.
- Schizophrenia – a group of mental disorders in which there are severe disturbances in thinking, mood, and behavior. The sufferer experiences delusions, hallucinations, disordered thinking, and/or inappropriate emotions.
- Grief/Bereavement (see page 198). The loss of a loved one may provoke thoughts of suicide. A person may find it hard to goon living without their loved one or may want to be with him or her in death.
Suicide:
- Is more common in men than women. Men commit 4 times as many suicides as women.
- Is attempted 3 times more often by women than men. Young women attempt suicide 4 to 8 times more often than young men.
- Is committed more often by white men than by black men
- Has the highest rate in adults over age 65
- Is the third leading cause of death among 15-24 year olds behind accidents and homicide
Suicidal threats and attempts are a person’s way of letting others know that he or she is in need of attention or wants someone to help them. Suicide attempts and/or threats should never be taken lightly or taken only as a “bluff.” Most people who threaten and/or attempt suicide more than once usually succeed if they are not stopped.
Prevention and Treatment
Prevention and treatment include:
- Knowing the warning signs for suicide (see “Questions to Ask” on page 215)
- Taking courses that teach problem solving, coping skills, and suicide awareness in schools and in the community
- Addressing and treating the emotional and/or physical problems that lead to thoughts and attempts of suicide such as:
- Medical treatment for physical and/or mental health conditions such as depression. This includes monitoring medicine, if used.
- Therapy such as individual and family counseling
- Keeping firearms, drugs, and other means to commit suicide away from potential victims
- Emergency care and hospitalization, if necessary, after an attempted suicide
Questions to Ask
{Note: In some suicides, no warning signs are shown or noticed.}
Are any of the following present?
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With thoughts of suicide or death, are any of these conditions present?
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Have thoughts of suicide come as a result of one of the following?
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Has there been a lot less interest or pleasure in almost all activities or a depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day for at least 2 weeks? Or, have you been in a depressed mood most of the day nearly every day and have you had any of the following for at least 2 weeks?
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Does the person thinking about suicide have other blood relatives who committed or attempted suicide? | ![]() |
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Has the person recently done 1 or more of the following?
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Have suicidal thoughts come as a result of an upset in life such as?
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Self-Care Tips
If you are having thoughts of suicide:
- Let someone know. Talk to a trusted family member, friend, or teacher. If it is hard for you to talk directly to someone, write your thoughts down and let someone else read them.
- Call your local crisis intervention or suicide prevention hotline. Look in your local phone book or call directory assistance or the operator for the number. Follow up with a visit to your doctor or local mental health center, if instructed to do so.
{Note: For information on suicide see “Places to Get Information & Help” under “Suicide ” on page 377.}