Suicide Prevention Information

In Memory of Jason P. Block 12/28/1980 - 6/17/1999

Suicide is a delicate issue for many people to deal with. Therefore, if such a situation shall arise involving the death of someone by suicide, a lot of us are grossly unprepared for the roller coaster of emotions that follow a tragic death. For many of us, grieving may take weeks or even months. Also unfortunate is that a lot of people are not aware of the warning signs or do not know what to do in order to help. Suicide is most common among the elderly and teenagers and often results from untreated depression.

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FACTS AND MYTHS

MYTH: Discussing suicidal thoughts with someone will result in a person's suicide.
FACT: After suicidal feelings are recognized, a person will feel relief towards the situation and more secure about showing emotional pain.
MYTH: Suicidal people are set on ending their lives.
FACT: Often times, a person who is suicidal wants to commit suicide, but then again, does not want to commit suicide.
MYTH: A person who discusses suicide never actually does it.
FACT: When a person talks about suicide, the person could be hinting something, and therefore, should NOT be ignored.
MYTH: Only certain "types" of people commit suicide.
FACT: There is always a kind of suicidal potential in all of us, so not just one "type" of person will commit suicide.
MYTH: Suicide occus without warning,
FACT: Most of the time someone will hint suicidal intent either directly or indirectly.
MYTH: Somone who attempts suicide is mentally ill.
FACT: Less than five percent of teenagers who commit suicide are mentally ill.

The Sad Facts

• Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for people age 15-24
  
• Every 17 minutes someone in the U.S. will take his or her own life.
  
• Over 30,000 suicides are reported in this country each year, and it is estimated that there are 240 to 600 thousand attempted suicides annually.
  
• About 2/3 of people who commit suicide have a depressive disorder at the time of their deaths.
  
• Suicide is particularly likely when a depressive episode begins to improve.

The Warning Signs:

• Making a will/Giving away possesions
• Rejecting peers or social withdrawl
• Talks and/or asks about death
• Previous suicide attempts
• Family and/or peer problems
• Extreme moods
• Lack of energy
• Hopelessness
• Ends relationships
• Decline in school activities
• Performs risky behaviors such as drug and alcohol use and/or sex
• Depression

What to Do to Help:

• Be Careful
• Listen
• Befriend
• Share responsibility of problem(s)
• Encourage Help

What NOT to Do

• Do NOT Ignore
• Do NOT Pretend

Links to other sites on the Web

Please Read
Light for Life: Help Prevent Teen Suicide
Information on Bipolar Disorder
Information on Mental Illnesses
A Place to Turn for Advice
Suicide/Bipolar Disorder Info

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