Suicide
From Drug Rehab Wiki
Suicide
Suicide is the act of taking one’s own life. The Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) calls suicide “self-inflicted death,” and says it accounts for “about half of all deaths due to violence.” Worldwide, nearly one million persons each year commit suicide. And suicide is the third leading cause of death in the U.S. among persons aged 15 to 24 (after unintentional injuries and homicide).
Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors among U.S. Adults
As reported in a 2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), The NSDUH Report: Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors among Adults, sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Office of Applied Studies (OAS), Rockville, MD, an estimate 8.3 million U.S. adults in 2008 had serious thoughts about suicide, 2.3 million made a suicide plan and 1.1 million attempted suicide.
The 2008 NSDUH report found that young adults aged 18 to 25 displayed higher rates than older adults, and rates were significantly higher for those with past-year substance use disorder than those without a substance use disorder. About 6 in 10 of the adults who attempted suicide received medical attention for their attempt. The report is available at http://oas.samhsa.gov/2k9/165/Suicide.htm
National Suicide Prevention Hotline
Funded by SAMHSA, a free, 24-hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) provides counseling assistance to individuals in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. There is also a web site at http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
12 Warning Signs of Suicide
According to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, the following 12 warning signs of suicide should be taken seriously. These are found at http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/GetHelp/SuicideWarningSigns.aspx
• Threatening to hurt or kill oneself or talking about wanting to hurt or kill oneself
• Looking for ways to kill oneself by seeking access to firearms, available pills or other means
• Talking or writing about death, dying or suicide when these actions are out of the ordinary for the person.
• Feeling hopeless
• Feeling rage or uncontrolled anger or seeking revenge
• Acting reckless or engaging in risky activities – seemingly without thinking
• Feeling trapped – like there’s no way out
• Increasing alcohol or drug use
• Withdrawing from friends, family, and society
• Feeling anxious, agitated, unable to sleep or sleeping all the time
• Experiencing dramatic mood changes
• Seeing no reason for living or having no sense of purpose in life
Important Facts about Suicide
The American Association of Suicidology (AAS) reports the following facts about suicide at http://www.suicidology.org/web/guest/thinking-about-suicide
• Suicidal thinking is usually associated with problems that can be treated
• If you are unable to think of solutions other than suicide, it is not that solutions don’t exist, only that you are currently unable to see them
• Suicidal crises are almost always temporary
• Problems are seldom as great as they appear at first glance
• Resources for living can help sustain a person in pain
Phone Numbers to Receive Help on Suicide
Anyone contemplating suicide or who knows of someone who is should seek professional help immediately. Contact:
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
• National Mental Health Association at 703-684-7722
• Anxiety Disorders Association of America at 301-231-9350
• American Psychological Association at 202-336-5500
• American Psychiatric Association at 202-682-6000
• Depressive and Manic Depressive Association at 312-642-0049
• National Alliance for the Mentally Ill at 703-524-7600
--Suzannekane 19:41, 25 October 2009 (UTC)
