As the eighth leading cause of death for men, suicide is a serious problem in the United States. While women attempt suicide three times more often than men, men are four times more likely to succeed at committing suicide than women.

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More than 30,000 people die and at least 130,000 people are hospitalized following suicide attempts every year, and another 100,000 are treated in emergency rooms and released.

About 55 to 60 percent of suicides are committed with a gun.

Contrary to a common myth, suicide rates are lowest in the winter and highest in the spring.


The many warning signs of suicide include:

• Threatens or talks about hurting or killing oneself
  
  
• Starts looking for ways to kill him/herself (guns, pills, etc.)
  
  
• Talks or writes about death, dying or suicide, when its not usual for that person
  
  
• Exhibits hopelessness, rage, uncontrolled anger, or a need for revenge
  
  
• Acts recklessly, getting involved in risky behavior
  
  
• Says he or she feels trapped, or has no purpose in life, no reason for living, or withdraws from friends and family
  
  
• Drinks or uses drugs excessively, or has dramatic mood changes
  
  
• Suffers from anxiety, agitation, sleeplessness, or excessive sleepiness, or loss of appetite
  
  
• Is unable to think clearly or make decisions
  
  
• Is deeply sad or out of control
  
  

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, contact a mental health professional or call 1-800-273-8255 for a referral from the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or visit their Website at www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov

• Talk honestly and straight-forward
  
  
• Listen to feelings and accept them without judgment
  
  
• Don't debate if suicide is right or wrong, or whether feelings are good or bad; don't lecture on the value of life
  
  
• Show interest and support, but don't act surprised or shocked
  
  
• Don't agree to keep it a secret
  
  
• Try to offer sincere hope
  
  
• Get rid of anything that can be used for suicide (guns, other weapons, pills, etc.).
  
  
• Get help from counselors, other family members, doctors, etc.
  
  

• American Association of Suicidology (AAS)
  
  
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
  
  
• National Center for Suicide Prevention Training
  
  
• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
  
  
• The National Strategy for Suicide Prevention (NSSP)
  
  
• National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center
  
  
• The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP)
  
  
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
  
  
• Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE)
  
  
• Suicide Prevention Resource Center, Education Development Center
  
  
• The Suicide Prevention Action Network