- Suicide is the eleventh leading cause of death in the United
States.
- More men than women die by Suicide; the gender ratio is
over 4:1.
- The highest Suicide rates are for persons over 65.
- Suicide
is the second leading cause of death among young people 15 to 24 years
of high school and college students.
- Suicide completers are likely to have
some type of psychiatric disorder.
- Suicide is the number one cause of mortality
among people with Depression. Death by suicide occurs in 15 percent of
patients who have been hospitalized for Depression. (Health Learning Systems,
1994).
Warning Signs
- Preoccupation with thoughts of death
- Giving away prized possessions
- Suicide threats
- A settling of affairs
- Accidental poisoning and self-destructive behavior
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- Statements of worthlessness
- Depression
- A sudden apparent peace of mind
- Possession of suicidal plans
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What To Do
- Believe It: When someone talks of Suicide, he/she should
be taken very seriously. Accept what is said and try to focus on the problem.
Ask the person if he/she is thinking about giving up on life or ending
it all.
- Listen: A person who is feeling suicidal is in a state of
emotional crisis and needs someone who will listen. Acknowledge the person’s
feelings of helplessness. By listening, you are being supportive; you are
showing you care.
- Get Help: No matter what you conclude about the intensity
of the crisis, you must get help. Call a suicide-prevention center, crisis-intervention
clinic, mental health clinic, physician, hospital emergency room, or
religious adviser. If you believe the person is in danger of taking action
at once, do not leave him/her. Talk about the problem and lead the person
to one of the above places. If you feel that the situation is immediately
life-threatening, call the police.
- Remove Weapons of Choice: If you learn
about actual, specific plans that have been made toward Suicide, stay
with the person, if possible, and get help. Remove any self-destructive
weapons the person talked about.
What Not To Do
- Do Not Give Advice: Other than seeking help for the person,
you should not try to offer such advice as “Everything will be all
right,” or “Snap
out of it.” Do not be judgmental, swear secrecy, debate whether suicide
is right or wrong, or increase guilt.
- Do Not Delay Dealing with the Situation:
Do not leave the person alone if you think the risk is immediate. Call
a suicide-prevention center.
- Never Tell a Person that He/She Is Just Fooling:
Not being believed may increase despair and might serve as a challenge
that could start self-destructive actions. Sometimes it is possible to
deter a suicidal person by removing the weapons of choice.
Suggested Readings
Suicide by Durkheim, Emile
Suicide/The Hidden Epidemic by Hyde, Margaret & Forsyth, Elizabeth
Held
Healing After the Suicide of a Loved
One by Smolin, Ann & Guinan,
John
Suicide Prevention/Crisis Intervention Agencies in Iowa:
Cedar Rapids: Foundation II, Inc, (319) 362-1170
Davenport:
Vera French Comm. Health Center/Mercy Hospital, (563) 383-1900; Hrs Avail:
24
Des Moines: Broadlawn’s Medical Center Crisis Team, (515) 282-5752;
Hrs Avail: 24
Des Moines: Comm Telephone Services Crisis Line, (515) 244-1000
for crisis or (515) 244-1010 for counseling; Hrs Avail: M-Th 3 pm – 8
am, Weekends/Holidays: 24
Des Moines: First Call For Help, (515) 246-6555
or (800) 532-1194; Hrs Avail: 24
Dubuque: Crisis Line, (563) 588-4016;
Hrs Avail: 24
Iowa City: Crisis Intervention Center, (319) 351-0140; Hrs Avail:
24
Sioux City: Aid Center, (712) 252-5000
Waterloo: Crisis Services, (319) 233-8484;
Hrs Avail: 24
OR contact your local hospital or Community Mental Health
Center
If you or someone you know would like more information on
mental illness or wish to request an educational presentation, please contact:
NAMI IOWA (Alliance for the Mentally Ill
of Iowa)
5911 Meredith Drive Suite E
Des Moines IA 50322-1903
Phone: (515) 254-0417 or (800) 417-0417 IOWA ONLY
Fax: (515) 254-1103
Email: info@namiiowa.com
