Suicide, the Isolated Killer

By Elizabeth Azubuike

and Joshualee Vivar

What is Suicide?

Intentional death inflicted on oneself.Suicide is….

Who Suffers from Suicidal Intent?

• People from every culture

• Extremely depressed individuals

• People suffering from mental illnesses

Social causes of Suicide

• Extreme guilt

• Loss of important life aspects– Loved ones, jobs, Divorces, material

possessions, self esteem

• Depression

• Drug/Alcohol abuse

• Bad relationships with family

Medical causes of Suicide

• Bipolar Disorder

• Schizophrenia

• Anxiety Disorder

• Terminal Illnesses

Warning Signs for Suicide, Page I

• Dramatic change in behavior, eating, drinking, and sexual activity

• Increased moodiness• Suicide threats• Essays, poems, drawings,

showing interest in death• Violent or Rebellious

behavior

• Poor school performance• Increased drug abuse• Breaking off friendships• Withdrawal from normal

activities• Extreme sadness or

depression• Feelings of worthlessness

and discouragement

Warning Signs for Suicide, Page II

• Unusual neglect of physical appearance

• Difficulty concentrating• Radical Personality Change• Frequent complaints of

physical symptoms for long periods of time. (Headaches, Fatigue, etc)

• Delusions and hallucinations

• Overwhelming guilt and shame

• Changes in social behavior; inability to sit still, random emotional outbursts (crying or laughter)

• Writing of a will

Suicide Statistics, Page I

• Suicide took the lives of 29,350 Americans in the year 2000• In the same year, suicide rate was 1.7 times as much as homicides• Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in all citizens in America• Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death in American citizens ages 15-24

Suicide Statistics, Page II

• Males are more likely to die from suicides, but Females are more likely to attempt them

• Suicide rates are higher in the western states than the eastern and Midwestern states.

• 57% of all suicides are committed with a firearm.

Persons withIncreased rate of

suicide, IRisk Group Estimated risk of

suicide increase(times more likely)

Males (compared to females) 2 – 3x

Psychiatric patients 10x4 weeks after being discharged from psychiatric hospital

100 – 200x

People who deliberately harm themselves

10 – 30x

Alcoholics 5 – 20x

Drug abusers 10 – 20x

Prisoners 9 – 10x

Persons withIncreased rate of

suicide, IIRisk Group Estimated risk of

suicide increase(times more likely)

Offenders serving non-custodial sentences

8 – 13x

Doctors 2x

Farmers 2x

Unemployed 2 – 3x

Divorced people 2 – 5x

Myths and Facts about Suicide

Myth FactPeople who talk about suicide don’t attempt it.

People usually announce their intentions before they commit.

Encouraging the person will have them snap into rational thought.

Encouraging them will give them more reason to commit suicide.

All suicidal persons act depressed. Suicidal persons can be aggressive or try to be the class clown of sorts.

A person never tries again after a failed suicide attempt.

Most victims often have a history of several attempts.

Always keep the person’s intent secret.

Sharing the secret will increase the victim’s chance for survival.

The problem is solved if the suicidal person suddenly feels better.

They most likely feel better because they’ve decided to commit.

There is a Way to Help

• Take the person’s threats seriously.• Show them that you care for their well-

being.• Listen carefully and talk calmly with the

suicidal person.• Find help for the person, despite if they

say to keep their intentions a secret.• Never leave the suicidal person alone.• Never be antagonistic to the person.

You can Help Yourself too

• Always keep in mind that suicide is never a solution.

• Discuss your feelings with an adult you trust or a professional counselor.

• Never try to deal with your problem alone.

• Anti-suicide hotlines and crisis centers exist to help YOU.

Works Cited Page

• Health, Skills for Wellness Textbook.

• National Electronic Library for Health– http://www.nelmh.org

• National Center for Injury Prevention and Control– http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/suifacts.htm

• Depression, by Dianne Hales