The world has never seen a surge in suicide rates among men and women than in the present time. As the world gears itself to globalization, high technological breakthrough and overflowing amount of information, stressors or causes of stress also shoot up. According to the National Health Mental Institute, suicide is a public health problem which is very preventable. In the US alone, a total of 32, 439 suicide deaths were registered in 2004. There are eight to 25 suicide attempts per every suicide death. It was found out that men are more likely to commit suicide than women, but women make three to four suicide attempts.
It was also noted that suicide ranked eight in the cause of death for males and sixteenth for females in 2004. Sadly, in 2004, suicide registered as the third leading cause of death in the following age groups: children ages 10 to 14 (1. 3 per 100,000); adolescents ages 15 to 19 (8. 2 per 100,000); and young adults ages 20 to 24 (12. 5 per 100,000). Males and females use different suicide method. Men usually choose ( in order) firearms, suffocation, and poisoning. On the other hand, females most often go for poisoning, firearms, and suffocation. As can be inferred, four times as many males as females aged 15 to 19 committed suicide.
Also, more than six times as many males and females aged 20 to 24 went to the grave due to suicide. Older Americans aged 65 and above are more likely to die by with a rate of 14. 3 per 100,000 and non-Hispanic white men, aged 85 and above have even higher rate of 17. 8 per 100, 000. Regarding race, non-Hispanic whites have the highest suicide rate in 2004 with 12. 9 rate, followed by American Indian and Alaskan natives with 12. 4. Of non-fatal suicides, 25 attempts happen per suicide death. Men and the elderly have more fatal attempts than women and youth.
Risk factors under non-fatal suicides include depression, alcohol abuse, cocaine use, separation, and divorce. Same is true for attempts among the youth. Main risk factors considered in suicide based on the National Mental Health Institute are: depression and other mental disorders, including substance abuse disorder; stressful life events combined with other factors; previous suicide attempts; family history of mental disorder; family violence which could be physical or sexual; availability of firearms in the home; incarceration and exposure to suicidal behaviors of other people, especially among family members or close friends.
The BBC News cited Trefor Lloyd of Men’s Health Forum and acknowledged the contribution of men’s magazines in the suicide problem. Magazines offer false hopes thereby worsening men’s losing role as breadwinners due to unemployment. Suicide is a mental problem that must be addressed by the public and also by everyone. It is important that everyone must recognize the suicidal tendencies. If anyone thinks he or she has the tendency or knows somebody who is plague by suicidal thoughts, immediate help must be sought.
As much as possible, it is advised that firearms and other tools must be eliminated and medicines which can be used for suicide must be controlled. Suicidal tendency is a social and psychological condition and must be treated soon. Immediacy and urgency of attention are important in diagnosing and preventing suicide. Life is too short and suicide is never the solution to any problem. The victim must be helped and encouraged to move on with life. They also need support and a healing environment.
References
National Institute for Mental Health. Suicide in the U. S. : Statistics and Prevention. Retrieved March 10, 2008 from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/