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Suicide The Facts and Myths

Suicide The Facts and Myths. Deputy Chief Michael Jungbluth MATC Recruit Academy. Definition. The act or instance of intentionally killing oneself. An individual’s most sincere form of self-analysis and critique. Suicide Has a Long History. Biblical Suicides Abimelech (Judges 9:50 – 57)

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Suicide The Facts and Myths

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  1. SuicideThe Facts and Myths Deputy Chief Michael Jungbluth MATC Recruit Academy

  2. Definition • The act or instance of intentionally killing oneself. • An individual’s most sincere form of self-analysis and critique.

  3. Suicide Has a Long History • Biblical Suicides • Abimelech (Judges 9:50 – 57) • Samson (Judges 16:28 - 31) • Saul’s armor-bearer (1 Samuel 31:5) • Ahithopel (2 Samuel 17:23) • Zimri (I Kings 16:17 – 19) • Judas Iscariot (Matthew 27:3 – 5)

  4. The Medieval Period • Suicide became extremely uncommon. • Thomas Aquinas (Summa Theologica) stated: • 1.) Suicide is a violation of natural law. • 2.) Suicide is a violation of moral law. • 3.) Suicide is a violation of divine law. • Suicide was considered to be worse than murder for in killing one’s fellow man, one is only killing the body, whereas in suicide, one is killing the body and soul.

  5. The Seventeenth Century Onwards • Walter Charlton coined the term “suicide” in 1651. • During this time, attempting suicide became an indictable offense in many places. From 1844 to 1855 13% of the 40,000 who attempted suicide were prosecuted; 308 of these were sent to jail, and in 1855, a man received a two year jail sentence for trying to commit suicide, although this was subsequently reduced to a month.

  6. Emile Durkheim ([1897] 1951), a French Sociologist published his exhaustive survey entitled Le Suicide. He stated that where social solidarity is strong against suicide, occurrence is low. He also broke suicide down into three catgories: Egoistic- a failure to integrate onself with society, Altruistic- motivated by the person’s desire to further group goals, Anomic suicide- A person’s relationship to society is unbalanced... a dramatic shift in society. This study later led to the development of both intrapsychic and biochemical explanations.

  7. Suicide Statistics • There were 30,810 suicide deaths in the United States in 1997, representing 1.4% of the total deaths. • Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the United States. Homicide ranks 14th. • Ranks 3rd for the young (15-24 years) • Every year, there are more suicide deaths in the United States than homicides.

  8. The state with the highest suicide rate was Nevada at 24.8 per 100,000 population. The lowest was the District of Columbia at 6.6 per 100,000. • Suicide rates for the U.S. are average among industrialized nations and generally higher than developing countries. • Generally, the suicide rate in the United States has been level over the past 90 years, peaking at a rate of 17.4 per 100,000 population in 1932 and ranging from 12.0 to 14.0 per 100,000 over the past ten years.

  9. GENDER • Men account for 80% of all suicides in the United States. • Generally, women are more likely than men to make suicide attempts, as over 50% of suicide attempts are made by women. However, men are much more likely to be successful at killing themselves as they choose more lethal methods of suicide.

  10. AGE • People 75-84 years of age have the highest suicide rate of any group at 23.5 per 100,000. • Elderly, white men over the age of 65 have a higher risk of suicide with a rate of 42.7 per 100,000 population. Non-white elderly men have a suicide rate of 16.7 per 100,000. • In comparison, women over the age of 65 have a suicide rate of 6.0 per 100,000 population.

  11. ETHNICALLY • Generally, communities of color have lower rates of suicide than whites. However, these differences in suicide rates are much more dramatic in older adults. • Adolescents and younger adults, representing communities of color, have lower suicide risks than whites, usually 30% to 40% lower. • Some Native Americans in certain tribes have dramatically high suicide rates, particularly among male adolescents, reaching rates of 44.0 per 100,000 population. • White males account for 70% of all suicides.

  12. MENTAL DISORDERS AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE • Mental and addictive disorders are central risk factors for suicide. More than 90% of completed suicides are associated with these disorders. • 20% of men and women with unipolar depression or bipolar disorder commit suicide, 13% of schizophrenic patients commit suicide, and 10% of patients with a personality disorder commit suicide. This is 10 to 15 times the rate of the general population. • Only 3% of alcoholics commit suicide, but since alcoholism is so prevalent in society, 33% of all suicides involve alcoholism. Most alcoholics who commit suicide have over 20 years of alcohol abuse before dying. Few suicides are reported in alcoholics under age 40.

  13. ADOLESCENTS • Generally, suicide rates decrease with age in this group. However, since fewer young people die of health related causes, suicide is a leading cause of death among adolescents. • Suicide rates among adolescents have significantly increased over the past forty years. In 1950, the rate for people ages 15-24 was 4.5 per 100,000 population. In 1990, the rate tripled to 13.2 per 100,000.

  14. As with adults, the majority of adolescent suicides are committed by males. Among 15-24 year olds, 73% of suicides are committed by males. As with adults, female adolescents are far more likely to attempt suicide. For youth hospitalization after a suicide attempt 1 out of 12 males succeed in committing suicide while only 1 in 300 females are successful in committing suicide. • Among 15-24 year olds, suicide is the third leading cause of death with a suicide rate of 13.1 per 100,000 population.

  15. SUICIDE METHODS • Over 60% of all suicides are committed by firearms, and 80% of all firearm suicides are committed by white men. Hanging is the second most common method of suicide. • Drug overdose accounts for 70% of suicide attempts, although the vast majority of overdose attempts are unsuccessful.

  16. Warning Signs of Suicide • Conditions associated with increased risk of suicide: • Death or terminal illness of relative or friend. • Divorce, separation, broken relationship, stress on family. • Loss of health (real or imaginary). • Loss of job, home, money, status, self-esteem, personal security. • Alcohol or drug abuse.

  17. Depression. In the young, depression may be masked by hyperactivity or acting out behavior. In the elderly, it may be incorrectly attributed to the natural effects of aging. Depression that seems to quickly disappear for no apparent reason is cause for concern. The early stages of recovery from depression can be a high risk period. Recent studies have associated anxiety disorders with increased risk for attempted suicide.

  18. Emotional and behavioral changes associated with suicidal people: • Overwhelming Pain: pain that threatens to exceed the person’s pain coping capacities. Suicidal feelings are often the result of long-standing problems that have been exacerbated by recent precipitating events. The precipitating factors may be new pain or the loss of pain coping resources. • Hopelessness: the feeling that the pain will continue to get worse; things will never get better. • Powerlessness: the feeling that one’s resources for reducing pain are exhausted.

  19. Feelings of worthlessness, shame, guilt, self-hatred, “no one cares.” Fears of losing control, harming self or others. • Personality becomes sad, withdrawn, tired, apathetic, anxious, irritable, or prone to angry outbursts. • Declining performance in school, work, or other activities. (Occasionally the reverse: someone who volunteers for extra duties because they need to fill up their time). • Social isolation; or association with a group that has different moral standards than those of the family.

  20. Declining interest in sex, friends, or activities previously enjoyed. • Neglect of personal welfare, deteriorating physical appearance. • Alteration in either direction of sleeping or eating habits. • (Particularly in the elderly) Self-starvation, dietary mismanagement, disobeying medical instructions. • Difficult times: holidays, anniversaries, and the first week after discharge from a hospital; just before and after diagnosis of a major illness; just before and during disciplinary proceedings. Undocumented status adds to the stress of a crisis.

  21. History of mental disorders, particularly depression • History of alcohol and substance abuse • Family history of suicide • Family history of child maltreatment • Barriers to accessing mental health treatment • Loss (relational, social, work, or financial) • Physical illness • Easy access to lethal methods • Unwillingness to seek help because of the stigma attached to mental health and substance abuse disorders or suicidal thoughts • Cultural and religious beliefs—for instance, the belief that suicide is a noble resolution of a personal dilemma • Local epidemics of suicide • Isolation, a feeling of being cut off from other people

  22. SUICIDAL BEHAVIOR • Previous suicide attempts, “mini-attempts” • Explicit statements of suicidal ideation or feelings. • Development of suicidal plan, acquiring means, “rehearsal” behavior, setting a time for the attempt. • Self-inflicted injuries, such as cuts, burns, or head banging. • Reckless behavior. • Making out a will or giving away favorite possessions. • Inappropriately saying good-bye. • Verbal behavior that is ambiguous or indirect: “You won’t have to worry about me anymore.” Requests for euthanasia information, inappropriate joking, stories or essays on morbid themes.

  23. What Can I Do to Help Someone Who May be Suicidal? • Realize that someone may be SUICIDAL. • Take it seriously. • Remember: suicidal behavior is a cry for help. • Be willing to give and get help sooner rather than later. • Listen. Talking things out can save a life. • ASK: “Are you having thoughts of suicide?” • If the person is suicidal, do not leave him alone. • No Harm Contract. • Urge professional help. • No secrets. • Referral to MH Facility / Emergency Detention

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