Check out this presentation to understand the severity and causes of suicide and learn what you can do to help people with suicidal tendencies.

1. Preventing Suicide
National Suicide Prevention Week
Suicide is one of the leading causes of death. According to the
World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 1 million
people die from suicide every year. The organization also
mentions that by the year 2020, the rate of death caused by
suicide will increase to 1 every 20 seconds.

2. There were 47,173 recorded
suicides in 2017
Heartbreaking Suicide Statistics
The annual rate of suicide in the
U.S. went up to 24% between
1999 and 2014 – the highest
rate recorded in 28 years
It was the 7th leading cause
of death in males and 14th
for females in 2015
In persons aged 15 to 34,
it was the second leading
cause of death
In children aged 10 to 14,
it was the third leading
cause of death
From 1999 to 2010, there was
a 30% increase in the number
of suicides in the 35 to 64
age-group
The US ranks 38 in the list
of countries with highest
rate of suicide
Men are 3.5 times more
likely to commit suicide as
compared to women

3. Some Suicide Statistics -contd…
Instances of suicide cost the
US $69 billion per year
Around 123 people
commit suicide every day
In nearly half of the suicides,
a firearm is used (50.6%)
Second most common
method of committing
suicide is hanging
Middle-aged white men are
most likely to commit suicide
1,400,000 people
attempted to commit
suicide in 2017
The rate of suicide among
adults aged 45 to 54 was
highest at 20% in 2017
In 2016, suicide was the
10th leading cause of
death; in 7 out of 10 were
white men
American Indian/Alaska
Natives (AI/AN) have the
highest rates of suicide of any
racial/ethnic group in the US

4. Most Common Causes of Suicide
Depression:
People get trapped in
depression for many reasons
such as loss or death of a
loved one, end of a
relationship or marriage,
financial difficulties, and so
on. People with depression
lose interest in living. They
feel like, there is nothing to
look forward to and for that
reason, they end up
committing or attempting
suicide
Psychosis:
Individuals suffering from
psychotic problems like
schizophrenia, paranoia, bipolar
disorder, etc. often ‘hear’ voices
telling them to end their own
lives. Such mental disorders can
strike at anyone – even high
functioning and healthy
individuals too– commit suicide.
Both depression and psychotic
disorders are treatable; timely
intervention is key.
Fear:
Some people commit suicide
because they are too afraid to
deal with the consequences of
certain actions, or they fear the
reactions of family or the society
in general. Students who fail
courses, rape victims, people who
have embezzled money or
committed some kind of crime,
individuals living alternate
lifestyles, etc. fall into this
category.

5. Most Common Causes of Suicide cont.…
Substance Abuse:
Some alcoholics and drug addicts commit suicide
on an impulse. Often, when they feel ashamed of
their addiction, and think, that it’s better to end
their life.
Philosophical Reasons:
Some people, who are suffering from terminal and painful illness, or who are
extremely lonely, come to the decision of ending their life calmly. Some patients
prefer a quick painless death rather than wasting away their time and money.
Some people find life too difficult and pointless (living alone for years etc.) and feel
they have lived it all, and conclude that it’s time to go. This is more like choosing
the time of their death because they feel they have no more purpose on the Earth.

6. Recognizing Suicidal Tendencies
Frequently making statements of taking one’s own life, and wishing they had not been born
Most people harbor suicidal thoughts for quite a while before they actually do it. Watch out for these warning signs in
your loved ones:
Buying a gun, stocking up on sleeping pills, or buying
stuffs like knife, rope etc. – something that is not
immediately necessary for them
Increased consumption of alcohol or
sudden interest in drugs
Being preoccupied with death
Risky, self-destructive behavior like
reckless driving
Feeling despair and
hopelessness
Changes in sleeping
patterns and habits
Lack of interest in food, own
appearance and surroundings
Sudden personality changes
Saying goodbye to people like
it’s the last farewell
Frequently making statements of taking one’s
own life, and wishing they had not been born

7. If you see aforementioned symptoms being exhibited by any
of your near and dear ones, seek immediate medical
intervention. You can also get a spiritual leader in your
community to speak to them.
At EPIC Primary Care, we have in-house counselors who can
help people with suicidal tendencies. They can talk to
individual with depression, addictions, or any mental disorder,
and try and fix the root cause for the suicidal thoughts.
Our advanced care team (ACT) model of healthcare means
there’s an entire team consisting of a physician, assistants,
counselor, dietician, exercise physiologist, pharmacist, and
technicians working together to treat such individuals.
With the right diet, exercise, and medication, your loved ones
can avoid negative thoughts and start thinking positively, and
get better.
From your side, make sure you don’t leave them alone until
they feel better. Talk to them and try to keep them in a happy
frame of mind as much and long as possible.
Working to Prevent Suicide

8. THANK YOU
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