About Suicide

Scope of the problem

Suicide occurs when a person ends his or her life. It is the 10th leading cause of death among Americans. But suicide deaths are only part of the problem.  Suicide attempts impact a larger population—more individuals survive suicide attempts than die. And they are often seriously injured and in need of medical care.

Suicide Deaths in the United States

• There are far more suicides each year than homicides. In fact, in from 2008 - 2010, the number of suicides has been more than twice that of homicides.
  
  
• In 2010, more than 38,000 people died by suicide.
  
  Suicide Attempts in the United States
  
  

• There are an estimated 12 attempted suicides for every one suicide death.
  
  
• In 2009, there were an estimated 374,486 people with self-inflicted injuries are treated in emergency departments. The number increased to 464,995 in 2010 and 487,770 in 2011.
  
  
• The estimated number of people hospitalized for self-inflicted injuries increased from 155,000 in 2009 to 224,000 in 2011.
  
  Age Group Differences
  
  

• Suicide is the second leading cause of death among 25- to 34-year olds and the third leading cause of death among 15- to 24-year olds.
  
  
• Suicide among 45- to 54-year-olds is a growing problem; the rate of suicide is higher in this age group than in any other.
  
  
• Although older adults engage in suicide attempts less than those in other age groups, they have a higher rate of death by suicide.  Over the age of 65, there is one estimated suicide for every 4 attempted suicides compared to 1 suicide for every 100-200 attempts among youth and young adults ages 15-24.
  
  Gender Disparities
  
  

• Men die by suicide four times as often as women and represent 78.8% of all U.S. suicides.
  
  
• Women attempt suicide two to three times as often as men.
  
  
• Suicide rates for males are highest among those aged 75 and older.
  
  
• Suicide rates for females are highest among those aged 45-54.
  
  
• Firearms are the most commonly used method of suicide among males.
  
  
• Poisoning is the most common method of suicide for females.
  
  Racial and Ethnic Disparities
  
  

• The highest suicide rates are among American Indian/Alaskan Natives and Non-Hispanic Whites.
  
  
• Asian/Pacific Islanders have the lowest suicide rates among males while Non-Hispanic Blacks have the lowest suicide rate among females.
  
  

Risk and Protective Factors

Suicide is a complex human behavior, with no single determining cause. The factors that affect the likelihood of a person attempting or dying by are known as risk or protective factors, depending on whether they raise or lower the likelihood of suicidal behavior.

Major risk factors for suicide include:

• Prior suicide attempt(s)
  
  
• Mood disorders
  
  
• Substance abuse
  
  
• Access to lethal means
  
  Major protective factors include:
  
  

• Effective mental health care
  
  
• Connectedness
  
  
• Problem-solving skills
  
  To learn more, see SPRC’s Risk and Protective Factors Resource Sheet.
  
  

Warning signs for suicide

Some behaviors may indicate that a person is at immediate risk for suicide. The following three should prompt you to immediately call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or a mental health professional.

• Talking about wanting to die or to kill oneself
  
  
• Looking for a way to kill oneself, such as searching online or obtaining a gun
  
  
• Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
  
  Other behaviors may also indicate a serious risk—especially if the behavior is new; has increased; and/or seems related to a painful event, loss, or change.
  
  

• 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 feeling isolated
  
  
• Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
  
  
• Displaying extreme mood swings
  
   
  
   
  
  Roles in Suicide Prevention
  
  
  
  

Customized Information Sheets

Does your job bring you in contact with people who may be at risk of suicide?

Perhaps you work in a school or a first responder agency?

Or you may be an employer or a foster parent?

Do you know how you can help prevent suicide?

SPRC has created a series of information sheets for people in positions that bring them in contact with individuals who may be at risk for suicide. Each sheet is customized to a specific role and setting, and includes:

• Scenarios you may encounter
  
  
• Guidance in recognizing and responding to individuals who may be at risk of suicide
  
  
• Suicide prevention resources specific to your audience
  
  The following fact sheets are available as PDFs:
  
  

• Co-Workers
  
  
• Corrections Professionals
  
  
• Faith Community Leaders
  
  
• EMS Providers
  
  
• Foster Parents
  
  
• Law Enforcement Officers
  
  
• Managers
  
  
• School Mental Health Providers
  
  
• Teachers
  
  You may reproduce and distribute the fact sheets as long as you retain SPRC’s copyright information and website address.
  
  

New Resource Sheets

If you are a teen, family member, or survivor of suicide loss, you may need suicide prevention information for yourself or others. Fortunately, there are many excellent suicide prevention resources for these individuals. SPRC has compiled these resources into annotated lists.

Resource sheets are available for the following:

• Parents/Guardians/Families
  
  
• Survivors of Suicide Loss
  
  
• Teens
  
   
  
   
  
  All content on this Web site is copyrighted, ©1994-2013 by Education Development Center, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
  
  Any rights not expressly granted herein are reserved by Education Development Center, Inc.
  
  

(CNN) -- It could have had a much different outcome. A family of six spent two days in the Nevada wilderness in sub-zero temperatures after their Jeep rolled off the side of a dirt road and into a crevice.

James Glanton and his girlfriend Christina McIntee huddled with their two children, and her nephew and niece, keeping everyone together and keeping everyone warm. They suffered no frostbite.

McIntee, 25, and the youngest child Chloe, 3, were released from Pershing General Hospital on Wednesday. Glanton and the other three children continued to receive IV hydration at the hospital. None were expected to face any long-term health problems.

So how did this family manage to survive two days when others may not have been so lucky? Here are five things the family did right:

Doc: Nevada family smart to stay by car Details of the Nevada rescue Rescued Nevada family in 'good spirits'




1) They told relatives where they were going

Knowing where Glanton and McIntee were taking the kids was a huge help to authorities. It narrowed down the scope of the search. The Pershing County Sheriff's Office knew the family had planned to play in the snow in the Seven Troughs mountain range. Even knowing where the family was headed, the search area was still 6,000 square miles.

Contrast their decision to that of Aron Ralston. In 2003, Ralston didn't tell anyone he was going hiking in a remote Utah canyon. He spent nearly a week with part of his right arm pinned under an 800-pound boulder. He made it out only after he amputated his forearm and hiked four hours. Had anyone known where he was, the outcome might have been different.

2) They didn't leave to go find help

Survival expert Joseph Teti said this was key, sticking with the vehicle when you're in trouble. That's better than striking out on your own.

"Mother Nature will not allow you to make too many mistakes at all," said Teti, co-star of Discovery Channel's "Dual Survival."

In 2011, Canadians Albert and Rita Chretien were lost in a very remote section of the Nevada wilderness. They said their GPS took them the wrong way. After a few days, Albert went looking for help. He died. Wife Rita was found alive by a search team some 49 days later.

3) They were prepared for the elements

The family planned a romp in the snow. So they packed heavy winter clothing. As a result, they were ready for their unintended outdoor adventure. The experts say it's best to be prepared for the elements you're traveling in even if you're not planning on being outside for any length of time.

4) They improvised to stay warm

This really impressed authorities.

The couple, who didn't have extra blankets, started a fire outside after the Jeep overturned. They heated rocks and placed them in the spare tire to keep the children, ages 3 to 10, warm at night.

"I have never heard of such a thing, but I think it was pretty clever of him," search team leader Paul Burke with state Department of Public Safety, said of Glanton's tactics. "To the extent he was ingenious about it, that is one for the books."

5) They had food and water

Dr. Vacek said having basic supplies proved to be key, especially having water so they could stay hydrated in the dry conditions. The food didn't last long, it was gone by Monday, but still it was enough to get them by until help came.

1. Christmas Tree Fires Uncommon But Deadly

Tree fires are rare but unusually dangerous in the home, the National Fire Protection Association said.

U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 230 tree-related fires a year between 2006 and 2013, the NFPA said. However, 1 out of 63 tree fires resulted in death as compared to 1 death out of 144 total home structure fires.

Picking a tree with fresh, green needles that do not fall off when touched is an important step in the tree care process, the NFPA said.

Make sure the tree is at least 3 feet from any heat source, such as candles, fireplaces and radiators.

Members of the Kansas Christmas Tree Growers Association and other vendors sell as many as 34,000 trees during the Christmas season, association president Eldon Clawson said.

An extended drought has been gripping Kansas, but it has not affected the Kansas Christmas tree industry.

"This year we have had adequate moisture at very important times," Clawson said. "We have gone into the fall with some subsoil moisture making its way to the deep roots of the trees. Therefore, the needles (green part we see) are green and fresh, making for a hardy looking tree."

The standard tree care tips apply for all trees, whether they come from a drought-affected area or not.

"Just use the standard measures such as keeping the tree well watered as it sits in the tree stand," he said. "Don't place a tree near a heat source."

2. Falls Common During Holidays

More than 6,000 people are treated in hospital emergency rooms every year due to holiday-decorating falls, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.

Nearly 50 percent of the holiday falls were from ladders while decorating outside, the CDC said. Falls were also reported as a result of people falling off furniture while doing indoor decorating.

Use the "buddy system" when using a ladder or climbing on a roof with an adult holding the ladder steady on the ground, the American College of Emergency Physicians said.

Move the ladder if you need to reach out to the right of left and never stand on the top two rungs of the ladder.

3. Pet-Safe Holiday Starts with Plants, Decorations

One of the great myths of the holiday surround poinsettias and whether they are dangerous or even deadly.

Despite that myth, poinsettias are not deadly, Dr. Tina Wismer of the Animal Poison Control Center for the American Society for the Prevention and Cruelty of Animals (ASPCA) said.

They can cause mild vomiting and drooling for pets, but they are not highly toxic, Wismer said.

Mistletoe and holly can actually cause more problems.

"Mistletoe can cause vomiting, diarrhea and heart problems, while holly can cause severe gastrointestinal signs," Wismer said. "Fortunately, both of these plants are not tasty, and dogs and cats usually only ingest a small amount. They are much more dangerous for grazing animals like horses or cattle."

Christmas tree decorators should also take care to keep their trees safe for pets.

Some animals are attracted to shiny things; this is especially true for the felines in the household.

"It is always a good idea to keep tinsel away from pets. If swallowed, tinsel could pose a serious risk for choking or intestinal obstruction," she said. "Non-breakable ornaments should be used on the tree until you can get assurance that your cat or dog will not try to climb or knock over the tree and try to eat or chew on them."