Suicide v One of the 10 leading causes of death v Second leading cause of death among youth v Many people have suicide thoughts, fewer have suicide attempts (likely 8-10 times the number of completed), fewer still complete

Canadian Statistics v v 2003 suicide caused the deaths of 3,765 Canadians (11.9 per 100,000) v v 27 individuals aged under 15 years; v v 522 aged 15–24 years; v v 1,437 aged 25–44 years; v v 1,337 aged 45–64 years; v v 442 aged 65 years and over. v v This represents 1.7% of all deaths in Canada.

Suicide Attempts v Not all attempters are hospitalized

Compare the Following Slides

Statistical Cautions 1. Some suicides disguised 1.police officer, accident investigator: “No one would ever know my death would be a suicide”) 2.Life insurance for death but not suicide 2. Some attempts are not attempts (e.g., woman in garage) 3. Some completions not regarded as completions (MVA single fatality)

Suicide Research v Going on long time v Lots of atheoretical work that gives us facts but not necessarily cohesive understanding v E.G. - Rates higher when birthday has a 0 (30, 40, 50, etc.) Mondays, Afternoon or evening

Relevant Factors in Suicide v Age and Gender v Suicide, Parasuicide, Suicide Ideation, Self Mutilation v Warnings and Notes v Media v Professions

Age and Gender v Males 3 times more likely to commit v Females 3 times more likely to attempt

Male versus Female Suicides

Male versus Female Suicides II

Suicide Attempts by Gender & Age

Suicide Method: Males (Alberta, 2000)

Suicide Method: Females (Alberta, 2000)

Men vs. Women Suicide

Suicide, Parasuicide, Ideation, Mutilation v Overt Suicide: Note, etc. v Covert Suicide: Disguised v Parasuicide: Suicidal gesture v Suicide Ideation: Actually not uncommon v Self Mutilation: Not a suicide gesture

Warnings and Notes v Suicide tends not to be impulsive, but rather planned and prepared v E.G. of evaluation of suicide potential: –Thoughts –Plan (well articulated) –Means to enact plan –Desire to enact (i.e., going to do it? –Reasons for living

Suicide Notes v 1 in 4 write a note v Get only briefest of glimpses into motives v Most have concrete instructions (handle body, insurance, feed pet, etc.) v Some very brief: –“I could not bear it any more” –“ I am tired of living”

Notes Cont’d v Lots of work done on notes but not of much help v Emotional content study: –51% expressed gratitude, affection, & concern –25% were neutral –24% expressed negative emotions

Media and Suicide v Presentation of suicides in media increases suicide rates & fatal single MVA v Public reporting of suicide in known or famous person (e.g., Kurt Colbain) v Golden Gate Bridge

Golden Gate Bridge

Bay Bridge

Golden Gate Bridge

Suicide Deaths BC 2000

Highlights of Table v Of the 344 suicide deaths in the province in 2000, about three quarters (262) were male. v The distribution of suicide deaths by month varies from year to year. In 2000, April and June were tied at 38 suicides each, with March and January following in third (37) and fourth place (36), respectively. December had the least (12) total suicides, followed by November with 14 suicides. v Male deaths from suicide were highest in April and June and lowest in December. Female suicide deaths were highest in January and March, and lowest in October.

Schneidman’s Model v Death Seeker: Clearly intends to end life a time of attempt v Death Initiator: Death has already started the person takes control v Death Ignorer: Not end of existence v Death Darer: Russian roulette players

Vulnerabilities to Suicide v Transgenerational v Mental Illness (depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, etc.) v Abuse v Early Loss v Personality (socially prescribed perfectionism, hopelessness)

Warning Signs of Suicide v Repeated expressions of hopelessness, helplessness or desperation v Signs of depression (loss of interest in usual activities, changes in sleep pattern, loss of appetite, loss of energy, expressing negative comments about self) v Loss of interest in friends, hobbies or previously enjoyed activities v Giving away prized possessions or putting personal affairs in order v Telling final wishes to someone close v Expressing suicidal thoughts to others v Expressing intent to commit suicide and having a plan, such as taking pills or hanging oneself at a specific place and time

Precipitants to Attempt v Stressful events v Serious illness v Abusive Environments v Occupational Stress v Situations wherein person experiences: “Unendurable psychological pain”

Suicide by Month Alberta 2000