What is suicide?
Suicide is death caused by injuring oneself with the intent to die. A suicide attempt is when someone harms themselves with any intent to end their life, but they do not die as a result of their actions.
Many factors can increase the risk for suicide or protect against it. It is important to know the risk factors, warning signs, and protective factors of suicide to help prevent it from happening.
Warning Signs Handout How to Help Handout- Risk factors are characteristics or conditions that increase the chance that a person may try to take their life.People of all genders, ages, and ethnicities can be at risk for suicide. There is no single cause of suicide.
Some major risk factors for suicide are:
- Depression, other mental disorders, or substance use disorder
- Chronic pain
- Personal history of suicide attempts
- Family history of a mental disorder or substance use
- Family history of suicide
- Exposure to family violence, including physical or sexual abuse
- Presence of guns or other firearms in the home
- Having recently been released from prison or jail
- Talking about wanting to die or kill themselves
- Looking for a way to kill themselves
- Talking about feeling hopelessness or having no reason to live
- Talking about feeling trapped or being in unbearable pain
- Talking about being a burden to others
- Giving away their belongings
- Increasing the use of alcohol/drugs
- Acting anxious, agitated, or recklessly
- Sleeping too much/too little
- Withdrawing/isolating themselves
- Showing rage or talking about getting revenge
- Extreme mood swings
- Protective factors are characteristics that make it less likely that individuals will consider, attempt, or die by suicide. Major protective factors include:
· Access to mental health care
· Being proactive about mental health
· Problem-solving and coping skills
· Limited access to lethal means
· Reasons for living (for example, family, friends, pets, etc.)
· Support from partners, friends, and family
· Feeling connected to others
· Feeling connected to school, community, and other social institutions
· Cultural and religious beliefs that encourage connecting and help-seeking
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- 2022 United States Suicide Statistics
· 49,476 deaths by suicide
· 2nd leading cause of death for people ages 10-14 and 25-34
· 13.2 million adults seriously thought about suicide
· 3.8 million planned a suicide attempt
· 1.6 million attempted suicides
Alabama Suicide Statistics
· In 2022, 840 people in Alabama died by suicide
· Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in Alabama
· The suicide rate in Alabama has increased by 43% over the past 20 years
- 2022 United States Suicide Statistics
Taking the time to understand suicide and mental health is an important step in suicide prevention and ending the stigma. Evidence shows that providing support, talking about suicide, reducing access to self-harm, and following up with loved ones are some actions we can take to help others. Suicide is avoidable. By breaking the stigma, providing support, and helping others in need, we can help prevent suicide and save lives.