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Publication #FAR5034

 

Suicide Risk1

Suzanna Smith2

Figure 1. 
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Suicide is an uncomfortable topic for most people. Suicide can devastate a family, leaving behind survivors who are too often blamed and stigmatized. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among young people, who are experiencing stress, confusion, and conflicts with their families, schools, and communities. However, the suicide rate is most high for the elderly, as they may experience depression and sadness over the recent death of a loved one, physical illness and pain, poor health, and social isolation, and loneliness.

Many suicides are preventable, and experts believe that most suicidal people desperately want to live—they just can't see a way out of their problems. You can help by knowing the warning signs and helping loved ones to get professional help.

Most suicidal persons are considered at risk when they have one or more of the following signs: a serious mental health condition; increased alcohol or drug use; thinking and talking about suicide and death; uncontrolled anger or rage; a recent severe stressor, such as a sudden loss of job or home; or a family conflict. They may withdraw from friends and family, feel anxious, depressed, and have trouble sleeping. Mood changes may be dramatic.

If someone you know threatens to hurt or kill him or herself, take them seriously. Listen and show your support. Be direct and talk openly. Seek help as soon as possible from your local crisis center, a mental health professional, or the suicide hotline at 1-800-273-TALK.

Listening, learning, and living together: it's the science of life. "Family Album" is a co-production of University of Florida IFAS Extension, the Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, and of WUFT-FM. If you'd like to learn more, please visit our website at http://www.familyalbumradio.org.

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References

American Association of Suicidology. (2006). Elderly suicide fact sheet. Retrieved August 7, 2007, from http://www.suicidology.org/c/document_library/get_file?folderId=232&name=DLFE-242.pdf.

American Association of Suicidology. (2006). Youth suicide fact sheet. Retrieved August 7, 2007, from http://www.suicidology.org/c/document_library/get_file?folderId=232&name=DLFE-245.pdf.

American Association of Suicidology (2004). Understanding and helping the suicidal individual. Retrieved August 7, 2007, from http://www.suicidology.org/c/document_library/get_file?folderId=232&name=DLFE-30.pdf.

Centers for Disease Control (2007). Suicide fact sheet. Retrieved August 7, 2007, from http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/suifacts.htm.

Footnotes

1.

This document is FAR5034, one of a series of the Family Youth and Community Sciences Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Broadcast as program 263. Published October 2010. Reviewed March 2012. In the interest of time and/or clarity, the broadcast version of this script may have been modified. Visit the EDIS website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2.

Suzanna Smith, associate professor, Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place, Dean.