life saving knowledge

What You Need To Know About Suicide

story by | dawn hoffer

Whether they are two or twenty-two, as a parent, you want to do everything you can to keep your child safe.

Nearly everyone accepts that injuries and deaths related to motor vehicle crashes can and do occur, and many could be prevented.

Keeping children safe may mean actually buckling them into the car seat and as they grow it may mean verbally reminding them to buckle up. But before that happens, as a parent you need the knowledge not only that seat belts and child restraints save lives but also the knowledge of how to correctly buckle them up.

Tragically, injuries and deaths related to suicide can and do occur as well, but did you know some might be prevented? Do you have the knowledge you need to help keep a loved one safe and potentially prevent a death by suicide?

Suicide Is Real

Suicide is real and many people are affected. As many as one in six people will be suicidal at some point in their lives. In the United States, a suicide attempt is estimated to be made about once every 40 seconds and a person dies by suicide about every 15 minutes. In North Dakota, 103 lives were lost to suicide in 2010, and suicide is the second leading cause of death for those between the ages of 15 to 24. Reports about suicide attempts and deaths by suicide can be seen in local news media coverage on an ongoing basis.

So while there’s no denying suicide is real, what do we really know about prevention? First off, it is important to note that suicide is an emotional and highly complex issue and a singular causation can rarely be identified. That being said, the knowledge we do have could very well be lifesaving.

what do we know?

We know that for the majority of those attempting suicide, there were risk factors and warning signs present.

While risk factors do not always cause something to happen, they do increase likelihood and probability of something occurring. Statistics on youth suicide suggest that there are certain behaviors or characteristics that can alert parents to a possible elevated risk of suicidal thought. Risk factors for suicide could include:

• Depression and/or other serious mental health conditions

• Alcohol or other drug use/abuse

• Being a victim of trauma including physical, emotional or sexual abuse or neglect

• Perfectionist personality

• GLBT [Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual or Transgender]

• Being a loner, with few friends and very little social support

• Having a learning disability

• Having low self-esteem

• Experiencing serious legal trouble

Statistics on suicide reveal that males are more likely than females to die by suicide and females attempt suicide more often than males

Living with untreated or undertreated psychiatric illnesses is a major risk factor. Over 90 percent of people who die by suicide had at least one psychiatric illness at the time of their death, with depression and substance abuse disorders at the top. Depression is estimated to be the number one cause of disability in the United States. More Americans suffer from depression than coronary heart disease, cancer, and AIDS combined.

The good news is that for many, depression and chemical dependency can be treatable. When people get effective treatment, 80 percent are treated successfully. If treatment isn't working, talk with your physician and a mental health professional. Numerous treatments are sometimes necessary before the effective combination is found.

Bullying

What about bullying? We hear a lot about it these days, and bullying is an important topic that needs attention. While we know there is a connection between being bullied and depression and that depression is a risk factor for attempting suicide, bullying does not cause a suicide per say. While bullying can be related to negative psychosocial functioning among children who are victims, including higher rates of depression, anxiety, loneliness, reduced self-esteem, school absenteeism and even suicidal ideation, again, bullying does not necessarily cause a suicide.

Myths And Facts

With so many myths surrounding the subject of suicide, it is important to know the facts.

myth: If you talk about suicide with someone you will give them the idea to complete suicide.

fact: Talking about suicide does not create or increase a risk that someone will make a suicide attempt. myth: Suicides occur with little or no warning.

fact: Most people communicate warning signs or suicidal intent by how they are feeling and reacting to their situation [stressful events, their illness, etc.] This can include blatant statements about not wanting to be around, others being better off without them, wanting the pain and suffering to end and losing hope that it ever will.

myth: Non-fatal suicide attempts are only attention getting behaviors.

fact: While non-suicidal self-injury is a real phenomenon, all suicide attempts, regardless of how injurious, should be taken seriously. For many people, suicide attempts are serious warnings of hopelessness and helplessness and could be considered an invitation to others to help. If not addressed a suicide attempt can lead to suicide.

Warning Signs Of Concern

Take notice, inquire and act if you are aware of any of the following signs of concern that may be warnings of an impending suicide attempt:

• Talking about suicide

• Preoccupation with death

• A deepening depression

• Taking unnecessary risks or exhibiting self-destructive behavior

• Out of character behavior

• Demonstrating a loss of interest in the things one cares about

• Systematically visiting or calling people one cares about

• Making arrangements; setting one’s affairs in order

• Giving prized possessions away

• Increased alcohol or other drug use

• Isolating

• Making statements about feeling hopeless, helpless, or worthless

what can a parent do?

There are a number of effective suicide prevention related things a parent can do:

• Educate yourself about the magnitude of the problem, the signs of concern and the tools of prevention.

• Spend time with your children on a regular basis and watch and listen to them, paying close attention to sudden changes in behavior that give you concern.

• Talk openly, honestly and supportively with your child and their friends about concerns, coping with feelings and seeking help when needed. Thoughts and talk about suicide should never be kept a secret.

• Be willing to seek professional help and guidance if you feel your child is becoming depressed or contemplating hurting him/herself.

• Support your local school system in incorporating resources including school-based suicide prevention curriculums into their guidance or health programs; suicide prevention training for school personnel, and information for parents.

• Encourage local youth service organizations, your faith community, youth athletics and others to become aware of the issue of youth suicide and its prevention opportunities.

• Most importantly, when in doubt, ALWAYS seek professional help.