What Is Suicide?
The period of adolescence for many is filled with significant life decisions. Teenagers’ ability to solve problems and make decisions may be affected by intense emotions of stress, bewilderment, anxiety, and doubt. When mixed with other events, normal developmental changes can be quite distressing for adolescents. Some people that commit suicide consider it a solution to these issues because they may appear too difficult to handle.
Suicide is when an individual intentionally harms themselves with the intent of ending their life. The tenth leading cause of death in America is suicide. People consider suicide as a means of escape from pain and misery. Suicide is a serious potential outcome of mental disorders, but it is not a mental illness in and of itself.1
Who Is Most Likely to Commit Suicide?
Situations and Risk Factors That Could Lead Someone to Consider Suicide
Individual Factors
Individual risk factors could lead someone to attempt suicide. These include:
- Having attempted suicide in the past
- Having a mental health condition
- Having long-term pain or a terminal illness
- Expressing feelings of hopelessness
- Having money or legal problems
- Having violent or impulsive behavior
- Having alcohol or other substance abuse problems
- Having easy access to self-harm methods
Relationship Factors
Some relationship risk factors include those who have:
- Had a history of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse
- Experienced neglect or bullying.
- Gone through a break-up, divorce, or death
- Had a family history of death by suicide
- Experienced being socially isolated and lacks support
Community, Cultural, And Societal Factors
Societal risk factors that could lead someone to commit suicide include if the person:
- Is ashamed to ask for help, especially help for mental health conditions
- Lacks access to healthcare services
- Holds cultural or religious belief that suicide is a noble option for resolving a personal dilemma
- Has become aware of an increased number of local suicides or an increase in media coverage of deaths by suicide
Warning Signs of Suicide in Adolescents
- Being sad or moody
- Sudden calmness
- Withdrawing from others
- Changes in personality, appearance, sleep pattern
- Showing dangerous or self-harmful behavior
- Experiencing recent trauma or life crisis
- Being in a state of deep despair
- Making preparations for their belongings
- Threatening suicide or talking about wanting to die
Who Is Most Likely to Commit Suicide?
The risk of a suicide attempt is highest among the elderly, adolescents, and young adults. Men commit suicide at higher rates than women. The risk of committing suicide is also high in:
- Older people who have lost a spouse through death or divorce
- People who have attempted suicide in the past
- People with a family history of suicide
- People with a history of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse
- People who are unmarried or unemployed
- People with long-term pain or a terminal illness
- People who are prone to violent or impulsive behavior
- People who have recently been released from a psychiatric hospitalization
- People with substance abuse problems
Can Suicide Be Prevented?
Suicide can be prevented, and strategies at all societal levels are necessary to prevent suicide. This includes preventative and safeguarding measures for people, families, and communities. To help prevent suicide, people should:
- Learn the risk factors for suicide
- Be alert to the signs of depression and other mental health conditions
- Recognize suicide warning signs
- Provide caring support
- Ask directly if the person has considered hurting themselves
Alternative Depression Treatments for Suicidal Ideation
Talk Therapy
The goal of psychotherapy is to assist a patient in recognizing and altering problematic feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. Talk therapy’s goal is to assist clients in identifying the problems that lead to emotional anguish and make them feel suicidal.
Prescription Management
Health professionals prescribe anti-anxiety medications, antidepressants, antipsychotic medications, and other medications for mental illness that can help reduce symptoms, which will help the patient feel less suicidal.
TMS Therapy
Get Treatments for Suicidal Ideation at Pacific Beach Health
Contact Pacific Beach Health if you or a loved one have attempted suicide or is exhibiting potential warning signs. Pacific Beach Health’s team of specialists offer insights on mental health. To build the foundation for a healthy, fulfilling, and tranquil adult life, Pacific Beach Health assists teenagers in overcoming their behavioral and emotional challenges.
