Suicide: Myths, Facts and Prevention

1. Suicide: Myths, Facts and Prevention James M. Eddy Texas A&M University

2. Suicide Myths • People who talk about suicide don’t commit suicide • Only a specific class of people commit suicide • Suicide has simple causes that are easily established • Only depressed people commit suicide • Only crazy or insane people commit suicide • Suicide is inherited

3. Definitions of Suicide • Durkheim-Those cases of death resulting directly or indirectly from positive or negative acts of the victims themselves; The victim knows the results that will be produced by their action. • Stengel-The fatal act of self-injury undertaken with conscious self-destructive intent, however vague and ambiguous.

4. Definitions of Suicide • Baechler-All behavior which seeks and finds the solution to an existential problem by making an attempt on the life of the subject, suicide here is a means vs. an end.

5. Who is Suicidal? • A person who consumes an overdose of barbiturates • A person who mixes barbiturates and alcohol • A diabetic who carelessly follows the prescribed diet • A person suffering from intractable pain shoots him/herself

6. Who is Suicidal? • A person who so strongly believes in a cause that he/she goes on a hunger strike • A person who commits a capital offense despite knowing the penalty if caught • A person who provokes another to attack him/herself • A person who chooses a high risk form of recreation such as sky diving, hang gliding, or Grand Prix racing

7. Low High High Reversibility High Intervention High Reversibility Low Intervention Low Reversibility Low Intervention Low Reversibility High Intervention High Ex. Pills consumed when it is likely others will be around Ex. Pills consumed when no one is around Ex. Jump from isolated building Ex. Jump from a building across the street from the suicide crisis center at noon Level of Reversibility Low Adaptation of Freeman’s Model of Intentionality Level of Intervention

8. Demographics of Suicide • Males commit suicide more often than females • Females have a greater number if incomplete suicides than males • Older people commit suicide more often than younger people • Younger people have a greater number of incomplete suicides than older people

9. Demographics of Suicide • City dwellers commit suicide more often than rural residents • Protestants commit suicide more often than Catholics or Jews • Wealthy people commit suicide more often than poor people • Professionals commit suicide more often than non-professionals • Alcoholics commit suicide more often than social drinkers

10. Comparative Suicide Rates • Males vs. Females: Males are 2x more “Successful” Females attempt 4x more suicides • Higher rates are found in: Caucasians, urban communities, middle class, people with no children, people with chronic illness, alcoholics and addicts, elderly

11. Higher Correlates: Male Caucasian Single, widower, divorced or separated Adolescent of over 65 Probably living alone Unemployed or retired Depressed Probably previous suicide attempt Lower Correlates: Abuser of alcohol or other drugs Demonstrated difficulty in coping Suffering from illness Threatening suicide Visited his/her physician The Typical Suicide

12. Behavioral Indicators of Suicide • Poor communication • Items of value • Isolation • Insomnia and worry • Substance abuse • Decline in work performance • Prior acts of suicide • Verbal attitude

13. Suicide Prevention Procedures • Listen • Evaluate the seriousness • Evaluate the intensity • Accept every complaint and feeling • Don’t be afraid to ask the person directly about suicide thoughts • Beware of presumed fast recovery

14. Suicide Prevention Procedures • Be supportive but affirmative • Take specific action • Be willing to take further consultation • Never treat the act with disgust • Never challenge the potential victim • Never leave a person in an acute crisis alone