Suicide

Art 3170 Civic Engagement: Social Issues Project

"Suicide" Seth Gatzke

Suicide means ending your own life. It is sometimes a way for people to escape pain or suffering because they believe they can't bounce back from a problem.

Warning Signs and Symptoms:

• Talking about wanting to die or wanting to kill themselves
• Talking about feeling empty, hopeless, or having no reason to live
• Making a plan or looking for a way to kill themselves, such as searching online, stockpiling pills, or buying a gun
• Talking about great guilt or shame
• Talking about feeling trapped or feeling that there are no solutions
• Feeling unbearable pain (emotional pain or physical pain)
• Talking about being a burden to others
• Using alcohol or drugs more often
• Acting anxious or agitated
• Withdrawing from family and friends
• Changing eating and/or sleeping habits
• Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
• Taking great risks that could lead to death, such as driving extremely fast
• Talking or thinking about death often
• Displaying extreme mood swings, suddenly changing from very sad to very calm or happy
• Giving away important possessions
• Saying goodbye to friends and family
• Putting affairs in order, making a will

Why Do People Commit Suicide?

1. They're depressed. This is the most common reason people commit suicide. Severe depression is always accompanied by a pervasive sense of suffering as well as the belief that escape from it is hopeless.
2. They're psychotic. Inner voices often command self-destruction for unintelligible reasons.
3. They're impulsive. Often related to drugs and alcohol, some people attempt to end their own lives. Once sobered and calmed, these people usually feel emphatically ashamed. The remorse is often genuine, but whether or not they'll ever attempt suicide again is unpredictable.
4. They're crying out for help. These people don't usually want to die but want to alert those around them that something is seriously wrong. They often don't believe they will die, frequently choosing methods they don't think can kill them in order to strike out at someone who's hurt them.
5. They have a philosophical desire to die. The decision to commit suicide for some is based on a reasoned decision, often motivated by the presence of a painful terminal illness from which little to no hope of reprieve exists.
6. They've made a mistake. They simply go too far, thinking they are the main cause of any problem and find a solution usually ending in suicide.

Risk Factors for Suicide:

• Mental Disorder, Particularly mood disorders, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, and certain personality disorders
• Alcohol and other substance use disorders
• Hopelessness
• Impulsive and or aggressive tendencies
• History of trauma
• Physical illnesses
• Previous suicide attempt(s)
• A family history of suicide
• Job or financial loss
• Loss of a relationship(s)
• Easy access to lethal means 
• Lack of social support
• A Stigma associated with asking for help
• Lack treatments
• Cultural and religious beliefs, such as the belief that suicide is a noble resolution
• Exposure to others who have died by suicide
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5 Steps How to Prevent Suicide:

1. Ask: “Are you thinking about killing yourself?”
2. Keep them safe: Reducing a suicidal person’s access to highly lethal items or places is an important part of suicide prevention.
3. Be there: Listen carefully and learn what the individual is thinking and feeling. Findings suggest acknowledging and talking about suicide.
4. Help them connect: Save the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s number in your phone so it’s there when you need it: 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
5. Stay Connected: Staying in touch after a crisis or after being discharged from care can make a difference.

Statistics about Suicide (2018) In U.S:

• Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the US for all ages. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Every day, approximately 105 Americans die by suicide. (CDC)
• There is one death by suicide in the US every 12 minutes. (CDC)
• Depression affects 20-25% of Americans ages 18+ in a given year. (CDC)
• Suicide takes the lives of over 38,000 Americans every year. (CDC)
• The highest suicide rates in the US are among Whites, American Indians, and Alaska Natives. (CDC)
• Only half of all Americans experiencing an episode of major depression receive treatment. National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
• 80% -90% of people that seek treatment for depression are treated successfully using therapy and/or medication. Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)
• An estimated quarter million people each year become suicide survivors. American Association of Suicidology (AAS).

Global Statistics of Suicide (2018)

• There is one suicide for every estimated 25 suicide attempts. (CDC)
• There is one suicide for every estimated 4 suicide attempts. (CDC)
• There is one death by suicide in the world every 40 seconds. (CDC)
• Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death in the world for those aged 15-24 years. (CDC)
• Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide. (CDC)

Personal Statement:

It is very hard to talk about suicide especially if you have witnessed it first hand. I didn't just want to talk about Military Suicide, I wanted to cover the whole spectrum. Starting off, I was really scared entering boot camp and I didn't know anyone, that was going to be in my division. As I entered the bus, that was inevitably going to get me to the airport I noticed there were only four other people aboard. Skipping ahead to the orientation turns out those people on the bus were part of the division in boot camp. During, the rigorous training I noticed that one of my friends started showing signs of depression and anxiety, but what was worse is that I never mentioned it to anyone, I just thought that we were all fighting the same battle just to finish boot camp and that his signs would go away. After the 2 months were over and we all passed boot camp, only one of those four went to the same military base that I went to which, was the person who had depression and anxiety attacks. After, being in "A school" for a few months we got what was called in the military "temporary leave", to destress yourself and leave the base. April 10, 2010, around 20:00 hour, I was watching the main deck, signing people in and out on their temporary leave. I notice that on the prior sheet of paper, my friend signed out at 10:00 hour, but never signed back in. I thought to myself that it has been awhile for him and something might be wrong. 22:00 hour rolled around and I finally finished my shift. I asked another shipmate if he saw my other friend, reluctantly he said that he was picking up food from the NEX (on-base grocery store). My fellow shipmate and I ran over there as fast as we could. We both noticed in a darkly lite alley that my friend had a knife in his hand pointing at his throat and his dog tags in the other. Both of us tried to talk him out of killing himself, but in the end, he thought it was his time to go. He slit his throat and with his last words he said: "Does Jesus save?" I took his dog tags from his hands and noticed on the back the same exact words he said with his last breathe. I held onto my bunkmate's dog tags for some time until the funeral was held and I gave them to the parents. To this day I still wish I said something about his depression or anxiety attacks too someone else or said something different when he was about to kill himself.      

Other Persons' Statements:

Christian Nevarez:

"All we have to do is reach out to them because sometimes that is all they need. It is what worked for me, luckily my two best friends reached out to me when I wasn't at my best and didn't want their help. As I kept pushing away from my friends they still kept getting closer and asking more questions and in the end, it worked out. As people, we need to start treating people showing signs of suicide, instead of when they actually attempt suicide. All we can do is do our part, for evil to triumph all men need to do is nothing".

Christian Gamino:

"Suicide is a topic that really recognized on news, especially since it isn't a "Major" topic such as mass killings or threats. Suicide is a serious matter in which the majority of the population worldwide has maybe thought about it once. If one knows that someone dealing with suicidal tendencies or from depression or anxiety, you should try to talk to them and see if they open up about what is going on with them. Personally, I don't ask anyone for help, even if I don't feel well since I'm one that is considered to be a "Lone Wolf" who takes care of himself. Sometimes I don't talk about it when I make a visit to a therapist. Everyone assumes someone has dark humor, but no one knows if he is serious or joking. If one notices someone is changing from how they acted, then help that person or guide them".

Mark Franco:

"As an Individual who has been diagnosed with depression, I have firsthand experiences with the toxic thoughts that plague millions of people worldwide. Being labeled as a danger to yourself while in the care of a system can have a different effect on those who suffer. Personally, it motivated me to become the best version of myself possible, while it can drive others to act on their disease. I found that the more belief was poured into me the more I felt human and loved. The more people felt sorry for me and emphasized their pity, by comparison, the more I felt there was something truly wrong. We need to encourage growth in those who struggle, a simple hug compared with eye contact can serve more than one may ever be able to conceive. Self-love is a lifelong practice, and there are no shortcuts".

Reference: 

Stopsuicidepledge. (n.d.). Retrieved April 15, 2018, from http://www.stopsuicidepledge.org/

Lickerman, A. (2010, April 29). The Six Reasons People Attempt Suicide. Retrieved April 15, 2018,         from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/happiness-in-world/201004/the-six-reasons-               people-attempt-suicide

Suicide Prevention. (n.d.). Retrieved April 15, 2018, from                https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/suicide-prevention/index.shtml

Suicide Facts. (n.d.). Retrieved April 15, 2018, from https://save.org/about-suicide/suicide-facts/