1. SUICIDE

2. Facts on Suicide Quiz

3. Answers to Suicide Facts Quiz True items: 2, 3, 7, 9, 12, 13, 14, 17 False items: 1, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 15, 16, 18

4. Who Commits Suicide? Each year 500,000 people require emergency room treatment as a result of a suicide attempt. Suicide took the lives of 30,622 people in 2001 Suicide is the third leading cause of death among young people ages 15 to 24. Twice as many Americans die each year from suicide than from homicide. Women outnumber men 3 to 1 in suicide attempts Men outnumber women 4 to 1 in suicide deaths Suicide rate has increased by over 300% over the last four decades Highest suicide rate occurs in those over age 75.

5. Why do people attempt suicide? To escape the pain of a chronic illness or the slow, agonizing death of a terminal disease. Feelings of hopelessness, depression, guilt, rejection, failure, humiliation, or shame.

6. Risk Factors Associated with Suicidal Behavior Recent relationship problems or lack of significant relationships Poor coping and problem solving skills Poor impulse control and impaired judgment Rigid thinking or irrational beliefs Having another major psychological disorder Alcohol or Substance Abuse Childhood physical or sexual abuse Prior self-destructive behavior or a family history of suicide. Presence of a firearm in the house

7. Suggestions for Helping Someone Feeling Hopeless & Suicidal Actively listen as the person talks and vents his/her feelings Don’t deny or minimize the person’s suicidal intentions Identify other potential solutions Ask the person to delay their decision Encourage the person to seek professional help. To access more information on suicide prevention please click HERE.HERE