Chapter 6: Lesson 6.3 Preventing Suicide pg.180

Recognize Risk and Protective Factors of Suicide

The term describes when a person takes one’s own life. In the United States, suicide is the second leading cause of death for people ages . The most common reason people attempt suicide is . It can make people believe life is not worth living, the off without them, and no one will miss them. In some cases, a person who attempts suicide has to for some time. In other cases, a person who already decides to attempt suicide following some event, such as academic failure or a fight with a friend or family member. Many individual and environmental factors outlined by the (CDC) affect whether a person attempts (Figure 6.12).

Individual Risk Factors

One major individual risk factor for suicide is a attempt. If a person attempted suicide before, this person is more likely to make another attempt.

A person’s overall health is another individual risk factor. People who consider suicide often do so because of overwhelming and thoughts. Sometimes a causes these symptoms. Anxiety disorders, major , and other mental disorders can cause unhealthy thought patterns. These thought patterns could cause people to consider suicide. It is important to remember, however, that many people with mental illnesses never attempt suicide. Instead, they seek treatment to and change unhealthy thought patterns to lead fulfilling lives.

Another risk factor for suicide is use. Abusing can cloud judgment and make people more likely to engage in self-harm or attempt suicide. In fact, people who abuse drugs or alcohol are more likely than others to report attempting suicide.

Environmental Risk Factors

Environmental factors include your , friends and peers, community, and the media. People whose family members have a mental illness or attempt or die by suicide may have more risk for attempting suicide themselves. Crises such as , death of a close family member, or may strain family relationships and increase risk factors. It is important to remember that many people who face family issues never attempt suicide. They focus on and strengthening family relationships. Figure 6.13 provides some techniques people can use to relationships.

People who experience long-term have more risk of attempting suicide. This can include exposure to abuse or neglect, racism, or violence. Another example is bullying. who are bullied have a greater risk of thinking about and attempting suicide. Bullying, cyberbullying, and can also lead adolescents to develop depression, which increases risk of suicide.

The prevalence of suicide in a community also affects suicide risk. Hearing about a suicide—of a friend, family member, classmate, celebrity, or even a stranger—can increase someone’s risk of a suicide attempt. This risk after exposure to suicide is called suicide contagion. Some communities or groups experience a suicide cluster, which is a series of suicides or suicide attempts in a relatively short time. In these clusters, one person dies by , and then other people copy this behavior.

The media can also be a risk factor. For example, after a TV show or movie , the rate of suicide attempts increases in the next few weeks following the release. Media coverage does not lead most people to consider harming themselves, but can trigger a suicide attempt in people who are experiencing a mental health condition or illness. This is similar to a suicide contagion. Due to the , many media organizations follow careful practices to reduce potential harm (Figure 6.14).

Protective Factors

The CDC outlines protective factors that can reduce the risk of suicide. People with , including substance use disorders, and physical health conditions should seek effective . Professional help greatly of suicide. Suicide risk is also reduced by having easy access to a variety of clinical interventions.

People feeling supported by families, communities, and medical and mental health care professionals have a of suicide. Certain cultures and religions support self-preservation and discourage suicide, which can also help. Certain health skills, including problem solving and , make people less likely to consider suicide.

Take Steps to Help Prevent Suicide

Suicide is a tragedy that affects individuals, families, friends and peers, and communities. For example, members and close friends can grieve intensely after someone close has died from suicide. Other people in a community are also impacted by suicide. People in a person’s school, workplace, or neighborhood also grieve, even if they did not know the individual who died.

All people can take steps to help prevent suicide—on an individual level and in their communities. This includes recognizing the of someone who has thoughts of suicide. Promoting positive mental health for oneself and others can also decrease the risk of suicide.

To help prevent suicide, people need to respond to warning signs of suicide. Most people who attempt suicide show some warning signs about their intentions. According to the CDC, warning signs of suicide include:

• talking or posting about wanting to die

• seeking access to lethal means of suicide

• increased substance use

• , rage, anxiety, or mood swings

• sleeping too little or too much

• withdrawal from family, friends, and loved ones

• expressing hopelessness or feeling trapped, in unbearable pain, or like a burden

• making , including giving away personal belongings

It is very important to always take any thoughts or mention of suicide and any other warning signs very seriously. If you think about hurting yourself, talk to a parent or other adult you trust right away. This person can put you in touch with a trained mental health professional.

If a person confides in you about having thoughts of suicide, you cannot keep this secret. Talk to someone who can help immediately. You can also call 911 or a suicide hotline number to reach a trained mental health professional (Figure 6.15). The use of suicide hotlines can reduce the likelihood of suicide. If someone (such as a friend) mentions suicide, do not leave that person alone. Stay with the person until help arrives.

Advocate for Mental Health

The most common cause of suicide is untreated depression. One step to help prevent suicide is to get treatment for a condition and illness and encourage others to get treatment as well. Treatment seeks to reduce , which usually means people no longer consider suicide.

To protect against suicide, you can seek and give support in your , especially if you feel you are struggling. People can find support from family members, friends, and the community (Figure 6.16). Simply being able to express feelings and talk with trusted people can be very helpful. In addition, you can help by using skills to build your self-esteem, shift to a positive mind-set, and manage stress. Practicing these skills regularly can help you regulate negative feelings and handle in healthy ways.

Stress in the is a risk factor for suicide. By improving your environment, you can reduce the risk of suicide and create a . For example, students who feel connected to the school community, including other students, , and staff, are less likely to experience mental health conditions and illnesses. They are also more likely to seek help for themselves or their friends.

You can help promote a positive, respectful environment by building supportive, and communicating effectively by and respect to others. You can also stand up to inappropriate behavior, such as intervening if you see someone being bullied. Showing tolerance and offering support to your peers can help create a climate, which reduces risk for suicide.

Provide Help for Survivors

The term survivors describes people who lose a loved one to suicide. often feel anger, guilt, and sadness. They may suffer with guilt because they were unable to prevent the death. They may feel rejected and abandoned by the person who died by suicide. are sudden. This means survivors are unable to prepare themselves for a loss.

Survivors may even feel or ashamed by the suicide. Many people are uncomfortable with the topic of suicide. Unfortunately, this means survivors may not get the they need after their loss.

The good news is that there are ways to help survivors. Some survivors may find support groups or helpful. It is important to let survivors grieve. If you know someone who lost a loved one to suicide, learn about the stages of grief (Figure 6.17). Knowing what your friend or family member is going through can help you be more .

Survivors may not want to talk about their loss right away. When they are ready to talk, however, just listen. Some people feel better when they talk about difficult topics. Listening is a simple way to help survivors overcome their loss.