This document summarizes risk factors and statistics related to suicide. It notes that men die by suicide more often than women, with peaks between ages 45-54 for men and over 55 for women. Relationship status, occupation, health issues like chronic illness or substance abuse, and mental illness can all increase suicide risk. Biological and genetic factors may also play a role. Treatment involves hospitalization, medication, and support, while prevention focuses on education and restricting access to lethal means.

1. Suicide
ONLINE PMHN POST MSN

2. Most Common Suicide Method

3. Risk factors
 Gender
 Men 4 times more often than women -
 Related to method: firearms, hanging, jumping from high places
 Women 4 times more attempts than men
 Overdose of psychoactive substances or poisons
 Age
 Men- peaks at age 45
 Women-occur after age 55
 Older persons who account for 10% of population commit 25%
of suicides
 Highest suicide age range 14-44 years of age
 Teen suicide fastest growing group

4. Risk Factors
 Race
 2 of every 3 suicides white male
 Whites three times as high as African Americans
 Immigrants higher rate than native-borns
 Religion
 Roman Catholics lower rate than Protestants and Jews
 Marital Status
 Marriage lessens the risk
 Never married single are the highest
 Divorce and widow/erness increase the risk

5. Risk Factors
 Occupation
 ↑ social status ↑ suicide risk
 ↑ suicide rates in economic depressions and recessions
 Fall in social status increases risk
 Work projects against suicide
 High risk occupations
 Physicians, law enforcement, dentists, artists, mechanics, lawyers
 Health Status
 Chronic illness ↑ suicide rate
 Mental illness ↑ suicide rate
 Substance abuse ↑ suicide rate

6. Theories
 Biological
 Diminished central serotonin
 Genetic pre-disposition
 Twin studies (both twins)
 Danish American Adoption study (suicidal adopted children’s
natural parents were also suicides)
 Parasuicidal behavior
 Cutters are prone to suicide

7. Treatment
 At home if strong support system (24 hrs/day) and
suicide is episodic behavior
 Contract with mental health care provider
 Supportive psychotherapy
 ½ cases of suicide taking place in an inpatient unit
end in law suits.
Suicide Prevention

8. Suicide in Children
 3rd cause of death among adolescents
 Over past 15 years suicide rates in children have
decreased—due to increase in SSRI use
 Suicidal ideation greatest frequency in childhood and
adolescence
 Completed suicides are 5 times greater in males over
females
 Firearms in boys, hanging in boys and girls, toxic
substances in girls and CO poisoning in boys most
common method

9. Etiology
 Genetics
 Family suicide studies
 Biological factors
 Low serotonin
 ETOH abuse
 Psychosocial factors
 Impulsivity
 Depression
 High stress

10. Treatment
 Hospitalization for
 High risk for repeat gesture patients
 Psychiatrically disturbed
 Psycho-education for family
 SSRIs

11. Assessment Tools for Suicide
 Questions about Suicidal Feelings and Behaviors (APA,
Practice Guidelines for Assessment and Treatment of the Suicidal Patient, 2nd Ed. Author, 2004)