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As we will be hearing on World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10), suicide is far from unusual. Here is an overview of the key risk factors alongside some positive steps insurers can take to support suicide prevention. For further information on international trends in suicide and how insurers are responding, go to www.genre.com/suicidestatistics.
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risk factors in
suicide
© 2014 General Re Corporation
The current annual global toll from suicide is nearly 1 million deaths. This is more than the number of deaths from homicide and war combined.
underlying risk factors
circumstantial risk factors
prevention
actions for insurers
In part due to the lack of awareness of serious depressive illness as well as social and cultural stigma.
But prevention and detection efforts continue to fall short
Rates remain stubbornly high or are increasing in many countries including the U.S., Russia, Japan and South Korea.
awareness PTSDHeightened awareness and media
presence can prompt suicides; however, lack of awareness can leave those at risk
with nowhere to turn.
18% of those who commit suicide in the U.S. are veterans.
Depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, eating disorders and drug addiction are all commonly associated with suicide.
Individuals with a substance use disorder are almost 6 times as likely to report a lifetime suicide attempt.
Copycat suicide and social pressure are common amongst younger deaths.
Pressure to maintain financial stability disproportionately impacts middle-aged males.
Fear of becoming dependent or a financial burden are observed more in older age groups.
Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death in THEUNDER 45 AGE GROUP.
in the U.S., 0ver 90% of those who take their own liFe have a history of mental illness.
For every committed suicide, there are at least 20 attempts.
mental illness
age
In general rates of suicide are higher in males.
genderCultural acceptance and perception have a strong influence on suicide rates.
culture
Suicide rates are seen to increase during times of recession.
economyPermanent daylight may
explain summertime peaks in Greenland’s suicide rate.
geography
Identify and treat those
su�ering from mental disorders and substance
abuse.
Improve access to health and
social services.
Restrict access to toxic substances
and firearms.
Report suicide in the media responsibly.
Encourage greater employee support in
group schemes.
a concerted effort on suicide
prevention is required.
Include support services such as
anonymous hotlines for individual policyholders.
Sara Goldberg+49 221 9738 337
[email protected]/in/sarawgoldberg
For more information on this topic, please read our article: WWW.GENRE.COM/SUICIDESTATISTICS
Help remove barriers to mental
health services.
Ensure e�ective rehabilitation for those recovering
from an attempted suicide.
Sources:
http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/suicide_datasheet-a.pdf
http://www.genre.com/knowledge/publications/ri14-1-goldberg-en.html
http://www.who.int/topics/suicide/en/
https://www.iasp.info/pdf/papers/Bertolote.pdf
http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/substance-use-disorder/link-between-substance-abuse-violence-and-suicide
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2014/suicide-prevention-report/en/
