American Psychological Association reports the worrying trend of increasing suicide rates during the last two decades: in 2018, suicide rate reached 14 per 100.000 people and the most terrifying thing is that this cause of death is the second leading one among people aged 10 to 34. Thus, students are at high risk of suicide and it is not only the high level of stress that leads to depression and suicidal thoughts but also such factors as childhood abuse, interpersonal conflicts, mental and substance use disorders. Good thing is that suicide is preventable and those who need help have opportunities to receive it.
General Statistics (USA)
- Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the US for all ages. (CDC)
- Every day, approximately 130 Americans die by suicide. (CDC)
- There is one death by suicide in the US every 11 minutes. (CDC)
- Depression affects 20-25% of Americans ages 18+ in a given year. (CDC)
- Suicide takes the lives of over 48,500 Americans every year. (CDC)
- The highest suicide rates in the US are among Whites, American Indians and Alaska Natives.
- Only half of all Americans experiencing an episode of major depression receive treatment. (NAMI)
- 80% -90% of people that seek treatment for depression are treated successfully using therapy and/or medication. (TADS study)
- An estimated 285,000 each year become suicide survivors (AAS).
- There is one suicide for every estimated 25 suicide attempts. (CDC)
- There is one suicide for every estimated 4 suicide attempts in the elderly. (CDC)
Short statistics
- Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among young people ages 10 to 24.
- LGB youth seriously contemplate suicide at almost three times the rate of heterosexual youth.
- LGB youth are almost five times as likely to have attempted suicide compared to heterosexual youth.
- Of all the suicide attempts made by youth, LGB youth suicide attempts were almost five times as likely to require medical treatment than those of heterosexual youth.
- Suicide attempts by LGB youth and questioning youth are 4 to 6 times more likely to result in injury, poisoning, or overdose that requires treatment from a doctor or nurse, compared to their straight peers.
- In a national study, 40% of transgender adults reported having made a suicide attempt. 92% of these individuals reported having attempted suicide before the age of 25.
- LGB youth who come from highly rejecting families are 8.4 times as likely to have attempted suicide as LGB peers who reported no or low levels of family rejection.
- 1 out of 6 students nationwide (grades 9–12) seriously considered suicide in the past year.
- Each episode of LGBT victimization, such as physical or verbal harassment or abuse, increases the likelihood of self-harming behaviour by 2.5 times on average.
Risk Factors and Signs of Suicidal Thoughts
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline informs about warning signs that everybody must be aware of and respond appropriately and in a timely manner in case of need:
- Increased prevalence of changes in mood, especially in an extreme manner.
- Notable changes in behavior, which becomes riskier and even reckless.
- Demonstrating of rage and agitated behavior.
- Attempts to isolate oneself and withdraw from.
- One begins to talk about the absence of reason to live and hopelessness.
- One expresses feelings of being “trapped” and refers to the pain of existence.
- Talks about the desire to die.
- Emerging interest to means of killing oneself and actual preparations, like buying a gun.
- Increased consumption of alcohol and drugs.
Reputable official organizations in countries all over the world, such as Health and Wellbeing department of Queensland Government in Australia, National Institute of Mental Health in the U.S., or the official website of the Government of British Columbia in Canada remind that this is a global problem and knowing what risk factors can lead a person to suicidal attempt may help to save someone’s life:
- State of depression.
- Specific medical conditions, especially mental health disorders or substance abuse.
- History of suicidal attempts both in one’s life or in his or her family in general.
- Violence in the family, especially physical and sexual abuse.
- Easy access to firearms, especially when one possesses a gun at home.
- The state of chronic pain.
- Suicidal behavior of close or influential people, such as family members or celebrities.
- Unemployment or other financial problems.
- A traumatic event in one’s life, such as the death of a close person or end of relationships.
How to Help A Person Who Shows Suicidal Signs? What You Should and Shouldn't Do?
According to the suicide prevention guide suggested by the National Institute of Mental Health, there are five obligatory steps if you want to do your best to save a person from suicide.
- Asking the direct question of whether one really thinks about killing oneself will be helpful to start working on finding the solution. Do not be afraid of asking this question.
- Attention, careful listening, and initiation conversation with the person about his or her feelings will be helpful to reduce tension and distract from real suicidal attempt while you are trying to find out the root cause. Do not leave such a person alone.
- Removing a person from a potentially lethal environment and making sure there is no weapon or other dangerous objects nearby is the third step of suicide prevention.
- Helping people to make a connection with specialists is one of the most important things you can do. Anybody at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline will do everything possible to save another life once you dial number 1-800-273-8255 in the U.S.
- Stay in touch with a person who suffered from such a crisis as it will help him or her understand that life is valuable and there are people who do worry. You shouldn’t leave a person alone during this period.
How to Help Yourself?
Multiple official resources such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand suggest some universal steps that can help you to cope with suicidal thoughts.
If you feel that the situation is critical and you face a serious crisis, do the following:
- Call to local or nationwide suicide prevention hotline or emergency department since the professionals there know the effective ways to help you; in fact, this is their true calling in life.
- Find someone you trust and can talk to regularly to improve the situation: family members, friends, doctor, spiritual leader, members of support groups with similar issues.
Pay more attention to self-care during stressful and difficult periods in your life as these simple things do matter:
- Make sure your physical condition is good: take regular walks and do exercises, try new fitness, spa, or yoga class, try to have good and sufficient sleep, eat regularly.
- Take care of your mental health: spend time with people you like, avoid overwhelming tasks at work or studies – your doctor will help you to have more time off, forgive yourself for mistakes, sit and understand your emotions since you must accept them, realize what things are bothering you and learn some coping techniques to get rid of these things.
- Do something pleasant to you personally: play with pets, enjoy dinner at a restaurant, watch your favorite film or read a book, and have some more time for things that remind you about something good in your life.
Useful Resources for Students in the U.S.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24/7 phone counseling service for everybody in need throughout the U.S. People in crisis may just call 1-800-273-8255. Lifeline’s website also provides useful information to know more about the problem.
Suicide Prevention Resource Center provides training, information, and consultations dedicated to suicide prevention throughout all states and in multiple organizations, including colleges, universities, and healthcare settings. This resource center is the only one that is federally funded, thus, it possesses more tools and resources to save people.
Your Life Counts! is a non-profit charitable organization with federal registration that possesses an emergency hotline number and resource center with suicide-related information. What is more, its global community is divided into separate groups for people with similar issues to find the most relevant help easier. Whether you suffer from loss, being discouraged by the system, or just belong to a high suicide risk group, you will always find relevant help and stories of people who overcame a similar problem.
Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program is dedicated to suicide prevention specifically among teens and youth. The main aim of this community is to cooperate with both local and federal resources in order to develop properly working programs oriented on suicide prevention.
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is the health organization that works on a voluntary basis and not only educates people about suicide prevention but also funds related scientific research and advocates for the development of effective public policies to prevent further suicide rates growth. AFSP is represented in all 50 states.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) unites more than 500 affiliates across the country who work hard to provide support, necessary education, and raise awareness about mental illness that often leads to suicide. Those in need may contact the NAMI Helpline at 1-888- 264-7972, however, this is not a crisis helpline as it does not work 24/7 and provides only general information about mental illnesses and relevant services. NAMI also sponsors multiple training events that advocate for raising awareness.
The Federal Health Program for American Indians and Alaska Natives created specific suicide prevention and care program that protects these vulnerable groups of youth and young adults since they are more prone to mental health disorders and substance abuse, and, consequently, face a higher risk of suicide. This program provides culturally appropriate information for both youth and parents.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration as part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is working on raising awareness about the negative impact of substance abuse problems and mental illness and their role in suicide rates’ growth.
IMAlive is the first online crisis network and center that provides virtual help to people who think about suicide. This center uses an innovative approach since they use instant messaging as the main communication channel instead of phone calls.
Role of School, Parents, And Friends in Suicide Prevention
The major role of family and school environment, as well as good friendship, is serving as the protective factor. The likelihood of self-harm is decreased if parents, friends, and teachers cultivate the following aspects and feelings in a student:
- Strong sense of connection and belonging to a group.
- Supportive relationships.
- Experience of achieving the success which contributes to an overall sense of one’s effectiveness and reduces the chances of depression.
- Strong self-identity.
- Developing proper stress-coping techniques and problem-solving skills.
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Suicide Myths
These misconceptions might be extremely dangerous and even prevent one from saving the life of another person despite the fact that suicide signs are clear.
Anyone may face a risk of suicide but irreversible harm can be avoided just by initiating conversation and providing simple but important help to people in need. There are multiple services all over the world that support individuals in crisis and the provided list of sources proves it.
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