SUICIDEEmily Weihs

Nearly 1,000,000 million people each year commit suicide, 30,000 of which are in the U.S.

Firearms are the most commonly used in suicides, others are overdoses of medication and hanging.

Bullying and being bullied are most associated with teen suicides.

Third leading cause in youths. Suicide rates for 15-24 year olds have doubled

since the year 1950. September 10th is World Suicide Day

STATISTICS

Breakup of a romantic relationship Moving Loss of a friend (esp. by suicide) Loss of freedom Loss of other privileges Aging Dependence on drugs or alcohol Emotional trauma

CAUSES

Making a will Suddenly visiting friends or family members (one

last time) Buying instruments of suicide like a gun, rope, or

medication. A sudden significant decline in their mood. Writing a suicide note.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Depends upon what is available and their gender. Firearms Suffocation, hanging, strangling. Overdosing on medications or ingesting poison. Leaping from great heights Slashing wrists Driving into a river and drowning or crashing an

automobile.

HOW

Short interventions are only sometimes needed. Physchriatic hospitilization and long term

medication are sometimes needed. Talk therapy Anti-depressants and mood stabilizing

medications. School intervention programs.

TREATMENT

Clearly define a problem. Identify risk factors. Develop and test interventions. Make sure

they work. Evaluate the effectiveness of the

interventions.

Prevention

Kurt Cobain Owen Wilson Britney Spears Halle Berry Drew Carey Drew Barrymore

Johnny Cash Eminem Billy Joel Elton John Ozzy Osbourne Vanilla Ice

SUICIDES/ATTEMPTED AMONGST CLEBRITIES

http://www.suicidology.org http://www.afsp.org http://www.caascenter.org NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION HOTLINE:

◦ 1-800-SUICIDE NATIONAL YOUTH VIOLENCE PREVENTION

RESOURCE CENTER◦ 1-866-SAFEYOUTH

WHERE CAN YOU GET HELP?

Suicide: Tragic Choice by Karen Zeinert, pages 54-60

www.medecinenet.com www.sprc.org

RESOURCES