Many Americans have experienced the devastating effects of suicide firsthand. Some have had a family member or friend take their own life. Others may have experienced suicidal thoughts or actions themselves.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, suicide is the second leading cause of death among 18- to 24-year-olds and claims the lives of more than 45,000 people each year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that number makes suicide the 10th leading cause of death overall. And many experts believe 45,000 may represent just half of actual suicides due to misreported deaths. That would push the number to near 100,000 deaths by suicide on an annual basis.
Regardless of the prevalence and frequency of suicide across the country, there is still little that the general public knows about suicide. Who is at risk? What are the warning signs? Most importantly, how can a person who may be contemplating ending their life by suicide be helped?
What is suicide?
“Suicide is any situation in which a person dies by their own use through any means,” said Richard Shelton, M.D., professor in the University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology. “We know that suicide doesn’t discriminate — it impacts people of all races, genders, religions, socio-economic statuses and ages — with the common thread being that people feel as though their life is not worth living anymore or that they are a burden to others.”
Shelton says 80 percent or more of people who die by suicide are experiencing a depressive episode, with the other 10 to 15 percent dealing with other related mental health issues. From a statistical standpoint, women are more likely than men to make suicide attempts; but men are five times more likely to die by suicide. Women tend to take what can be perceived as reversible means through overdose or cutting of their wrists. Men often take more violent approaches, such as a self-inflicted gunshot wound or strangling.
“People are often compelled to die by suicide after a stressful event, be it after a break up, during a financial crisis, loss of a job, the death of a loved one, or as a result of abuse or trauma,” Shelton said. “Suicide can be impulsive or carefully planned, often making it hard for family members or friends to notice that their loved one may be experiencing outstanding pain, as nothing striking seemed out of the ordinary before their passing.”
Notably, a rising cause of suicide in young adults is bullying that they may experience at school. Vulnerable populations, including the LGTBQ community and veterans, also are at a higher risk of suicide due to societal and traumatic situations they may have experienced.
How do I know if someone in my life is suicidal?
Suicide can be complicated, says Angela Stowe, Ph.D., director of UAB’s Student Counseling Services. Often, the person in crisis may not actually want to die but, rather, may want to feel relief from the stressors they are experiencing.
“Most people considering suicide as an option are ambivalent to death — they don’t want to die necessarily, but they want to be free of the pain and suffering that is weighing on them,” Stowe said. “The overwhelming sadness and feeling of lack of purpose contribute tremendously to the already fragile state that the person may be in.”
How can a person differentiate between normal sadness and extreme depression that can lead to suicide?
“I’ve had patients say that it’s the difference between a spring rain and a hurricane,” Shelton said. “With a spring rain, you know it will pass and the sun will come back out; but in a hurricane, there seems to be no end in sight. For those experiencing suicidal thoughts, they may feel like they won’t ever make it out of the storm; but we know that almost everyone contemplating suicide will start to feel better if they seek medical attention and/or treatment.”
According to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-TALK), the following signs may indicate a risk for suicide. It is important to note, however, that each person may have different responses and signs to be mindful of:
- Talking about wanting to die or to kill themselves
- Looking for a way to kill themselves, like searching online or buying a gun
- Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
- Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
- Talking about being a burden to others
- Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
- Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly
- Sleeping too little or too much
- Withdrawing or isolating themselves
- Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
- Extreme mood swings
Resources and getting help
Suicide is preventable, and there are many ways people can seek the care and treatment they need to help them through a distressing time.
Shelton explains that, while more than 75 percent of suicidal people are not currently seeking medical treatment or in therapy, there is an 80 percent chance people will start to feel better after just one experience with a physician.
“We know that medical intervention — be it first with a primary care physician or with a psychiatrist — is effective and helps at-risk people start to not feel isolated,” Shelton explained. “There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to helping a suicidal person seek the care they need; but there are ample options that can easily help relieve the feelings of anxiety, depression and desperation that suicidal people may be feeling.”
People who are acutely suicidal should go to an emergency department immediately. If people want to seek outpatient treatment, Shelton says the best first route to a medical intervention is going to a primary care physician. From there, they can start treatment and can direct a person in need to the appropriate next resource and can often fast-track that process.
According to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, there are five key ways that people can help a friend or family member who may be suicidal:
- Ask
- Keep them safe
- Be there
- Help them connect
- Follow up
Ask
Asking a person if they are suicidal is one of the first ways to help someone in need. Many people are nervous that asking will make a person mad or ultimately cause them to die by suicide, but Stowe explains that expressing your worry and willingness to help does make a positive impact.
“It is a myth that you can plant the seed of suicide in a person’s mind,” Stowe said. “I recommend that if you are questioning whether a loved one is contemplating suicide to say, ‘Are you thinking about suicide? I am concerned about you and want to help you get the care you need.’”
There are ample training opportunities for the average person to access if they feel that they know someone who is suicidal. For instance, QPR – Question, Persuade, Refer – Suicide Prevention Training is a national initiative that teaches participants the warning signs of suicide, how to persuade a person to get help and where to refer them to. At UAB, QPR training is offered to all UAB, UAB Medicine and VIVA employees, and more information can be found at uab.edu/learn.
Keep them safe
This step can be taken literally, by helping a person in distress stay safe by any means possible. For instance, it is removing a gun, sharp objects or pills from the vicinity or home of a suicidal person, or not leaving that person alone. It can be sitting with that person or taking them to the hospital — keeping them safe is a fluid concept but is very important.
Be there
It is important in this fragile time that a person contemplating suicide knows that they are not alone physically and emotionally. As mentioned, being there can mean many things, such as sitting with a person during a challenging time or checking in to ensure they know they are not alone.
This also means not trying to talk a person out of a situation by saying “you don’t really want to kill yourself” but, rather, letting them know that they are valuable and loved.
Stowe does explain that, while empathy can go a long way, there are instances when comments with the best intentions can hurt even more. “Here in the South, we hear a lot of people say ‘I am praying for you,’ and they truly mean it; but religion may be a trigger for a person in a suicidal situation,” Stowe said.
Help them connect
Anyone can help a person find resources for suicide in their immediate community, be it on a university campus, at a hospital or with a community agency. It may be physically taking a loved one to their first doctor’s appointment, or helping them dial the numbers for a crisis hotline.
At UAB, students can access care via Student Counseling Services, while employees are encouraged to seek help through Employee Assistance and Counseling Center. On Sept. 17, UAB will host a Mental Health Townhall from 6-8 p.m. at the Hill Student Center Alumni Theater. Community members can take part in a suicide-related discussion with campus leadership and experts.
In Birmingham, contacting the Crisis Center is a first step for any person in immediate suffering. Its 24-hour hotline can be accessed at 205-323-7777.
Nationally, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a valuable resource for any person in need. It houses tremendous resources for those considering suicide as their only option, but also for the general public who may be curious about how to help a friend. Its 24-hour hotline can be accessed at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
| The Community Counseling Clinic provides services for a range of mental health challenges, such as anxiety, depression, stress, relationship conflicts, grieving and loss, recent recovery from substance abuse, self-esteem issues, adjustment problems, job loss, parent and child conflicts, school and/or studying problems, and time management problems. |
Follow up
Following up with a person who may be considering suicide is critical in helping them get the help they need. It can be sending a text to check in or stopping by in person. Just letting a loved one know that they are on your mind can help.
“Encouragement can really make a difference in a person seeking treatment, which can be the factor in helping them see that there is hope,” Shelton said. “The way that a person is feeling is not permanent, and ensuring that people in distress know that is key.”
If you are thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK.