MindBody Connection - April 2008
Some Facts About Suicide
by William Hale, Ph.D., UCS/CBH
More than 32,000 suicides occur in the United States each year. Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in American adults. It is the second leading cause of death in college students. The No. One cause of suicide is untreated depression.
However, many other factors can contribute to suicide. Transition into (or out of) college can be a very stressful and confusing time for many students, which can lead to distress about life situations and a sense of hopelessness.
The first thing to remember is that suicide is preventable. The life circumstances surrounding suicide are changeable. Depression is treatable. While a situation might feel hopeless at any moment, it almost never is.
When a person feels hopeless enough to end his/her life, he/she thinks all possible options for help have been exhausted. Depression, life crisis, failure, and hopelessness can significantly limit our ability to think through our options and solve problems. This is when it is important to reach out to someone for help. Remember: Suicide is always a permanent solution to a temporary problem.
Signs of Possible Suicide Risk
When someone is at risk for suicide, there are usually several warning signs present. Some are subtle, while others are more pronounced. Here are some things that could signal a need for concern:
- Appearing depressed or sad most of the time. (Untreated depression is the number one cause of suicide.)
- Discussion about dying. This includes any mention of dying, disappearing, jumping, shooting oneself, or other types of self harm.
- Recent loss through death, divorce, separation, a broken relationship, loss of job, money, status, self-confidence, self-esteem, loss of religious faith, loss of interest in friends, sex, hobbies, or activities previously enjoyed.
- Change in personality, whether the person is sad, withdrawn, irritable, anxious, tired, indecisive, or apathetic.
- Change in behavior. Lack of concentration on school, work, and routine tasks.
- Change in sleep patterns, including insomnia, often with early waking or oversleeping, or nightmares.
- Change in eating habits, including loss of appetite and weight, or overeating.
- Diminished interest. This would include a loss of interest or pleasure in activities previously valued and enjoyed.
- Fear of losing control. The fear of going crazy, harming self or others.
- Low self esteem. Feeling worthless, shame, overwhelming guilt, self-hatred, or "everyone would be better off without me."
- No hope for the future. Believing things will never get better, that nothing will ever change.
- Giving away important possessions to friends or family.
- Withdrawing from friends and family.
- Writing notes or poems about suicide or death.
- Writing a will.
- Facing a perceived "humiliating" situation, or facing a perceived "failure."
- Feeling excessive guilt or shame.
Getting or Offering Help
Be willing to talk to your friend or family member about what is going on with him/her. If you think someone you know may be contemplating suicide, it is OK to ask that question. (Remember, you are not going to give him/her the idea — it has most likely already been considered.) If someone you know says anything that might suggest that he/she is contemplating suicide, always take it seriously. Do not try to argue with the person or talk him/her out of suicidal ideas. Just let the person talk.
Never promise to keep talk of suicide a secret. This is not something you can or should be expected to handle on your own. Encourage the person to talk to someone and even offer to go with him/her for support, if you are comfortable with that idea. If the person is not willing to talk with anyone else, it is important for you to do so. Let him/her know that you cannot keep this information secret. While it could strain your relationship initially, you will have taken a necessary step to keep the person safe and get him/her the help they need.
The counselors at UCS are available to help. Appointments can be made by calling 216.368.5872. Urgent Care hours are available for emergencies without an appointment most hours of the day. Call ahead to arrange to meet with a counselor on an emergency basis. Also, a counselor is available after hours by phone on a 24-hour basis. Call 216.844.8892 and ask to speak with the University Counselor On Call.
For more information on suicide and its prevention, visit suicide.org or the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.