TECHNOTES: Suicide Warning Signs & Prevention

Suicide is on the rise.  Certainly, the recent tragic news of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain is on everyone’s minds. Were there suicide warning signs?

According to a report released last week by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), death by suicide has increased by nearly 25% in the last two decades.

Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death for all ages.  There are nearly 123 suicides every day, with the highest rate among middle-aged white males. (source: American Association of Suicidology),

Suicide is now the 2nd leading cause of death for people ages 15 to 25 in America.

What is causing this rise?  Some say its due to the alarming rise of mental illness, which now represents 1 in 5 Americans or 40 million people.  The rate is the same for our youth, ages 13-18.

Others feel social isolation is to blame.  In the General Social Survey (GSS), the authors asked respondents how many confidants they felt they could entrust with important matters. 

In 1985, the number of confidants was 2.94. When the survey was repeated again in 2004, the number of confidants decreased to 2.08. 

Even more interesting was that the number of people who said they had no one with whom they could discuss important matters tripled.   I have to imagine today this number is even greater.

LGQBT Suicidal Stats

Suicide is high amongst kids who feel they may be lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer.   According to the Human Rights Campaign, 

“26% of LGBT youth say their biggest problems are:

• not feeling accepted by their family
• trouble at school/bullying
• a fear to be out/open

Not feeling comfortable about sharing their innermost feelings with others close to them leads to isolation, which can lead to shame and depression.  Shame and depression can lead to anxiety and suicide.

  The LGBTQ suicidal statistics are staggering. According to Save.org…

• “Lesbian, gay, and bisexual kids are three times more likely than straight kids to attempt suicide at some point in their lives. 
• LGBTQ youth are 4 times more likely to make a medically serious attempt at suicide than other young people. 
• Lesbian and bisexual women and girls are twice as likely to attempt suicide than those who are straight. 
• Gay and bisexual guys are four times as likely to attempt suicide than heterosexual men and boys. 
• Nearly half of young trans people have seriously considered taking their lives and a quarter have attempted suicide.”

Suicide warning signs are hard to assess if you are unaware your child is LGBTQ.  It’s hard to tell how many suicides are actually LGBTQ youths, but it is often a question asked after a suicide occurs for no apparent reason.

Suicide Warning Signs

There are not always obvious suicide warning signs, but usually there are.  According to Save.org, an organization dedicated to the prevention of suicide, you need to be concerned when someone is talking about…

• Suicide or wanting to die (75% of people who try suicide tell someone first)
• Feeling hopeless or having no purpose
• Being in unbearable pain
• Feeling trapped
• Being a burden to others
• Feeling more anxious, agitated, or reckless
• Feeling isolated or alone
• Have trouble sleeping
• A lot of built-up anger or wanting revenge
• The fear that the person is going to kill her/himself (TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY)
• Cutting or hurting oneself
• Wanting to give something away that was once coveted
• Not caring about personal hygiene anymore
• Purchasing a weapon
• An obsession with death or someone who died by suicide
• Hoarding medicines
• Covering up substance abuse or increased substance abuse
• Their desire to say goodbye

Print these suicide warning signs out and keep them handy.

Suicide Prevention Resources

If you see suicide warning signs and suspect your child, spouse, or someone else is contemplating suicide, 

Ask them…

Are you having thoughts of suicide?

Are you having thoughts about harming yourself?

You may surprise them and begin a conversation that may have never occurred.  The best way to communicate with them is with straightforwardness, honesty, and gentleness.

Tell them that you are concerned about them.  Suicidal thoughts can be curable, suicide cannot.  Social support, professionals, and medicine can help.

For More Information, Call/Text…

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

• Call 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
• Use the online Lifeline Crisis Chat 

• Youthline (open 24/7) – 0800 376 633. You can also text 234 for free between 8am and midnight, or email talk@youthline.co.nz.
• text HOME to 741741 to access free, 24-hour support from the Crisis Text Line

All resources are free and confidential and offer a trained counselor to talk to.

Online Resources:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide 

In The Forefront Suicide Prevention

Save.org

With suicide becoming more prevalent it is important that we, as parents and as spouses, arm ourselves with the knowledge to identify signs of suicide before it happens.

Tell to your children to let you know if any of their friends talk to or text them with suicidal thoughts.  Our children are not experienced on how to handle it. 

We can help our children by talking with them about their friend, but more importantly, we need to reach out to the suicidal friend’s parents so they can get their child help before it’s too late.

It does indeed take a village to raise a child…and to raise each other up.