Part 1: Myths, Facts, Risk Factors, and Warning Signs for Suicide
The majority of teens and adults will say that suicide impacted them personally; whether through a personal lived experience, personal loss, or a loved one struggling with thoughts of suicide oe suicide attempts. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, and at an average of 132 suicides occur each day. You may be surprised to learn this statistic, but as you’re reading this, you may we wondering why we aren’t talking more about it. This is what makes September such an important month. September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness month. An entire month dedicated to suicide awareness and prevention to start the conversation, raise awareness, and talk about what you can do to help. This article will cover suicide facts and myths, risk factors, and warning signs.
Let’s start with some common facts and myths about suicide:
- MYTH: Talking about suicide will make someone suicidal or give them ideas
- FACT: Talking about suicide actually reduces the likelihood of someone killing themselves
- MYTH: Mental illness isn’t a real thing; people just need to choose to be happy
- FACT: Mental illness is as real as diabetes, a broken bone, and/or cancer. While therapies such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy can help people learn to reframe, challenge, and change thinking patterns, mental illness isn’t a choice.
- MYTH: I only need to worry if someone is depressed, only depressed people kill themselves
- FACT: Suicide isn’t specific; suicide behaviors occur in various unpredictable situations, for various reasons. People who are not depressed attempt suicide or die by suicide. This is why it is important to know risk factors and warning signs.
Now that we’ve explored common myths and facts, let’s discuss risk factors for suicide. A risk factor is a characteristic associated with an increased risk a person may attempt, or die by suicide:
- Mental illness and mental health conditions including:
o Depression
o Anxiety disorders
o Conduct disorders
o Bipolar disorder
o Substance abuse behavior
o Schizophrenia
o Personality disorders: including Borderline Personality Disorder
o Chronic pain, or physical health concerns
o Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Personal characteristics:
o Aggressive behaviors
o Low self-esteem
o Mood swings
o Hopelessness
o Isolation
o Poor problem-solving skills
- Historical Background:
o Adverse life circumstances
o Difficulties with relationships
o History of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse
o Family history of mental illness
o Family of origin difficulties
- Environmental:
o Access to lethal means including, but not limited to, firearms and substances
o Exposure to shame surrounding mental illness
o Long-term stress such as bullying, relationship difficulties, or financial hardships
o Stressful life events such as family problems, financial difficulties, life changes, and loss of loved ones
o Exposure to a peer’s suicide, or learning graphic details and sensationalized information about suicide
Lastly, let’s talk about warning signs for suicide. A warning sign is a behavior that indicates a person may be thinking about suicide:
- Talking about dying or killing themselves. “I’d be better off if I was dead”
- Sharing that they have no reason for living. “There’s nothing left for me here”
- Giving away of possessions. “Here, you take this. It’ll be better in your hands”
- Reaching out to say “good-bye.” “I know we haven’t talked in a while, but this might be their last time.”
- Feeling hopeless. “Things won’t ever get better”
- Feeling overly guilty and like a burden to loved ones. “You’ll be better off without me.”
- Increased alcohol or drug use.
- Researching ways to die
- Increased social isolation. “I can’t make it; you go on without me”
- Not engaging in previously enjoy activities. “Yeah, that used to be a really good time, I’ll sit this one out.”
- Changes in sleep. “I can’t sleep at all” or “I’m just so tired all the time.”
- Drastic changes in mood including depression, anxiety, shame, irritability, and agitation
- Sudden improvement: this can be a warning sign that a plan to die by suicide has been made. “I’m doing a lot better; you don’t have to worry about me anymore”
I close this blog by sharing that when starting any conversation around mental health, it’s important to acknowledge that each person has individual beliefs and values that impact the way they feel comfortable to discuss, share, and cope with emotion. Explicitly discussing suicide will feel scary and uncomfortable to most people, and that is OK. That is part of the process. Let us better notice this emotion, belief, or thought; so it doesn’t become a barrier to conversation and exploration about suicide awareness and prevention. After learning more about myths, facts, risk factors, and warning signs for suicide; stay tuned for my next post in this 3-part series: How to talk about suicide, and support someone with thoughts of suicide. Thank you for doing your part to promote suicide awareness and prevention!
*If you are in crisis or struggling with thoughts of suicide please reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255 or the Georgia Crisis and Access Line 1-800-715-4225.*
Sources:
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, www.afsp.org
Jobes, David A., Managing Suicidal Risk: A Collaborative Approach, 2016