Issue 145 | Mental Health

Page 56

WHY MEN ARE 3 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO COMMIT SUICIDE THAN WOMEN WORDS BY DREW B.

S

uicide is a subject that puzzles many of us, motivates researchers and directs the development of many medical strategies and treatments. The motives behind such behavior are not usually visible, or they might even seem incompre-

hensible to those left behind. Suicide rates vary according to age and gender: women attempt suicide three times more than men, yet men end their lives three times more than women.

WHY DO MEN COMMIT SUICIDE? A person with a mental illness usually hides from friends and loved ones as they are afraid of being judged. They face people like a normal, happy person most of the time. However, when that person is alone, depression and suicidal thoughts take over. Suicide remains a significant public health problem worldwide, with 1 million estimated deaths per year and 10-20 million people attempting it worldwide. 25% of these attempts pertain to young adults between 20 and 24 years old. Suicide is among the three leading causes of death for this age group, along with traffic accidents and homicide.

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