Suicide Facts and Information
Facts About Suicide
Facts & Fables
Helping Someone
Signs Of Suicide
Preventing A Suicide
Face The Facts About Suicide
Source: American Association of Suicidology, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention,
and the Florida Bureau of Health Planning and Statistics.
 | Approximately 30,000 people in the United States kill themselves each year. About every 18 minutes someone in this country intentionally ends his or her life; it is estimated that an attempt is made about once a minute.
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| | The real figure for completed suicides may be as high as three to five times that number because many suicides go unreported.
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| | Suicide was the eleventh leading cause of death in the U.S. in 2003.
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| | More people die from suicide than homicide in the United States.
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| | Between 1952 and 1995, the incidence of suicide among adolescents and young adults nearly tripled.
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| | Florida's suicide rate is consistently higher than the national average and currently ranks 15th in the nation (2003).. Suicide was the ninth leading cause of death in Florida in 2004.
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| | In 2004, suicide claimed the lives of 223 of Florida's youth under the age of 24: suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for 15-24 year olds
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| | There were 2,382 suicides in Florida during 2004. That is an average of 6 suicides EVERY day.
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| | Each suicide leaves at least six bereaved family members and friends. Thus, 180,000 persons are traumatically impacted each year by the suicide of someone they care about. Since 1970 more than three million people in the U.S. have become "survivors of suicide".
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| | Survivors of suicide are at a higher risk for suicide than the general public.
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| | Many suicides are preventable.
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| | Prevention is often a matter of a caring person with the right knowledge being available in the right place at the right time.
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For a printable version of "Face The Facts About Suicide",
click here: Print Version
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Facts And Fables About Suicide
From the Baton Rouge Crisis Intervention Center web site
http://www.brcic.org
FABLE: People who talk about suicide don't complete suicide.
FACT: Many people who die by suicide have given definite warnings of their intentions. Always take any comment about suicide seriously.
FABLE: Suicide happens without warning.
FACT: Most suicidal people give many clues and warning signs regarding their suicidal intention.
FABLE: Suicidal people are fully intent on dying.
FACT: Most suicidal people are undecided about living or dying - which is called suicidal ambivalence. A part of them wants to live, however, death seems like the only way out of their pain or situation. They may allow themselves to "gamble with death," leaving it up to others to save them.
FABLE: Males are more likely to be suicidal.
FACT: Males COMPLETE suicide more often than females. However, females ATTEMPT suicide three times more often than men. Perhaps the reason fewer females complete is that they tend to choose less lethal methods than males.
FABLE: Improvement following a suicide crisis means that the risk is over.
FACT: Most suicides occur within three months of "improvement," when the individual has the energy and motivation to actually follow through with his/her suicidal thoughts.
For a printable version of "Facts And Fables About Suicide",
click here: Print Version
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Signs That Someone You Know May Be Suicidal
 Experiencing a long bout of depression
Has experienced one or more major losses
Experiencing insomnia or unshakable fatigue
Experiencing loss of appetite or overeating
Increasingly isolated
Giving away prized possessions
Doing poorly in school or at work
Abusing drugs or alcohol
Suddenly happy for no reason after long depression
Making statements about wanting to die
For a printable version of "Signs That Someone You Know May Be Suicidal",
click here: Print Version
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What You Can Do To Help Someone
Who Is Suicidal
 Listen with sincere concern
Avoid giving unsolicited advice
Ask them if they've been going through something like this before -
how did they cope with it?
Share a time when you felt similarly and assure your friend that things can
and will change
Ask if she/he is feeling suicidal
Let your friend know that many people will think about suicide but never attempt it
Stay with him/her - do something together
If you have immediate concern for your friend's life, call law enforcement
for emergency intervention
Give your friend the number for the suicide prevention hotline and make sure they call
Suicide Hot Line
Toll-Free/24 hours: 1-800-273-TALK
For Local Florida help lines, see Florida Hot Lines
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a 24-hour, toll-free suicide prevention service available to anyone in suicidal crisis. If you need help, please dial 1-800-273-TALK (8255). You will be routed to the closest possible crisis center in your area. With over 120 crisis centers across the country, Lifeline's mission is to provide immediate assistance to anyone seeking mental health services. Call for yourself, or someone you care about. Your call is free and confidential.
For a printable version of "What You Can Do To Help Someone Who Is Suicidal",
click here: Print Version
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Know What You Can Do To Help Prevent A Suicide
1. Know the warning signs of suicide.
Previous suicide attempts - Between 2-50% of people who kill themselves had previously attempted suicide.
Talking about death or suicide - Be alert to statements such as "my family would be better off without me." Sometimes those contemplating suicide talk as if they are saying goodbye or going away.
Planning for suicide - Suicidal individuals often arrange to put their affairs in order.
Depression - Most suicidal people are depressed. Serious depression can be manifested in obvious sadness but often is expressed as a loss of pleasure or withdrawal of activities that have been enjoyable.
2. Take the warning signs seriously.
About 75% of all suicides give some warning of their intentions to a friend or family member.
3. Be willing to listen.
Take the initiative to ask what is the matter...and keep talking. Don't be afraid to ask whether the person is considering suicide, or even if they have a particular plan or method in mind.
4. Be actively involved in seeking professional help.
Encourage the person to see a physician or mental health professional immediately.
5. In a crisis, get the person help immediately.
Take the person to an emergency room or walk-in clinic at a psychiatric hospital. Do not leave a suicidal person alone until help is available.
6. Continue to be involved.
Support the person in sticking with treatment. Help them get to therapy or support groups. Make sure they take any prescribed medication and notify the physician about any unexpected side effects.
NOTE:
This information does not represent a therapeutic recommendation or prescription. For specific information and advice, consult your physician.
Source: Adapted from information on the web site of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
http://www.afsp.org/about/whattodo.htm
For a printable version of "Know What You Can Do To Help Prevent A Suicide",
click here: Print Version
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