Kentucky Partnership for Families and Children

Suicide occurs at a rate of 83 completed suicides per day, which breaks down to one suicide every 18 minutes. In Kentucky, an average of nine people a week take their own lives. It’s something that affects all of us on some level. And, unfortunately, we probably all know someone who either completed suicide, or attempted it. Nationally, suicide is the fourth leading cause of death for those age 10 to 14, and third for those age 15 to 24. In Kentucky, suicide is the second leading cause of death for those between the ages of 15 and 34 years old, and Kentucky has the 16th highest suicide rate in the nation. While the subject of suicide is heartbreaking, it is one that absolutely must be dealt with. Ignoring signs and symptoms of those that may be considering taking their own life could have fatal results.

Suicide is not something that is limited by age, race or gender. For youth ages 15 to 24, the only causes of death more frequent than suicide are accidents and homicides. It is estimated that within a typical high school classroom, at least three students (one boy and two girls) have attempted suicide in the past year. Typically, girls have attempted suicide more often than boys, but boys tend to use firearms and usually complete suicide more often than girls, since girls tend to use pills.

Native Americans are the racial/ethnic group with the highest overall suicide rate, but this rate varies by tribe. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among young black males, after homicides and accidents, and the rate of suicides among this population is rising. Across the board, ethnically, the highest rate of suicide occurred in the elderly. Gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth are three to five times more likely to attempt suicide.

Autopsies done on those who completed suicide showed that more than 90% had one or more mental disorders. Many of these individuals sometimes feel hopeless, like they have nothing to live for, and that no one would care if they were gone. These are feelings that contribute to thoughts of suicide. People with specific mental health diagnoses such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, drug and/or chemical dependency, and panic disorders are particularly at risk. Specifically, those people displaying signs of hopelessness and who are socially isolated are generally at high risk.

Major depression is the most common diagnosis associated with suicide. It’s been estimated that about two-thirds of those who complete suicide are depressed at the time of their deaths. Those suffering from major depression are 20 times more likely to complete suicide than the rest of the population, especially those who have multiple episodes of depression.

A dependency on alcohol or drugs, in addition to being depressed, is a big risk factor in determing whether or not someone may be contemplating suicide. People who are depressed and exhibit the following symptoms are at particular risk for suicide:

• Extreme hopelessness
• A lack of interest in activities that were previously pleasurable
• Heightened anxiety and/or panick attacks
• Global insomnia
• Talk about suicide or have a prior history of attempts/acts
• Irritability and agitation

Here is a list of what to look for if you think someone you know may be contemplating suicide:

• Talk about suicide, death, and/or no reason to live
• Preoccupied with death and dying
• Withdraw from friends and social activities
• Have a recent severe loss (especially relationship) or threat of a significant loss
• Had a friend or loved one recently die by suicide
• Experience drastic changes in behavior
• Lose interest in hobbies, work, school, etc.
• Prepare for death by making out a will and final arrangements
• Give away prized possessions
• Express a sense of hopelessness
• Lose interest in personal appearance
• Faced with a situation of humiliation or failure

• Be aware, learn the warning signs
• Ask if he/she is thinking about suicide
• Be direct, talk openly and freely about suicide
• Be willing to listen
• Don’t judge or lecture the person
• Don’t dare him/her to do it
• Don’t give advice by making decisions for someone else to tell them to behave differently
• Don’t ask “why”, this will encourage defensiveness
• Don’t act shocked, this will create distance
• Don’t be sworn to secrecy, SEEK SUPPORT

• stop the pain
• think clearly
• make decisions
• see any way out
• sleep, eat, or work
• get out of the depression
• make the sadness go away
• see themselves as worthwhile
• seem to get control

then SEEK HELP IMMEDIATELY!!!!!! Contact a counselor, psychologist or your community mental health center for immediate help. Your family and friends need you!

Suicide Hotline 1-800-SUICIDE 1-800-784-2433