Notes on Suicide

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How on earth could any self respecting journalist ever think that sensationalizing a suicide would be thought of as compelling writing.

You’ll want to go down the If Only path, but don’t. That will only result in endless loops of anguish and no real clarity. Know that it is not your fault. Suicide is a preventable tragedy. Knowing what to say and what to do when someone is having thoughts of suicide can save lives. The way we talk about suicide matters, and the effects of these discussions extend far beyond conversations with loved ones. Research suggests the way journalists write about suicide can increase the suicide rate. A constructive approach to reporting on and talking about suicide raises awareness and cultivates empathy without sensationalizing death. Why We Need to Talk About SuicideVeterans Crisis Line. U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/. Accessed Feb. 24, 2018. These guidelines reduce the likelihood that vulnerable people will see suicide as thrilling, glamorous, or the inevitable result of a sudden difficulty. They also help reporters avoid victim blaming and reduce stigma by treating suicide as a health concern, not a moral or criminal issue. How to Talk to a Suicidal Person Postpartum Support International (for general information, not crisis intervention): 1-800-994-4773 Encourage the person to go to the emergency room or to a crisis mental health facility. If you can, offer to go with them so they feel less alone.

When someone expresses suicidal thoughts or feelings, remaining engaged in a conversation is a powerful antidote. People who are able to talk have an outlet for their pain. Companionship and conversation can be temporary antidotes to thoughts of suicide. Researchers have observed a contagion effect associated with glamorized and heavily publicized suicide ever since. Exposure to another person’s suicide, such as the suicide of a classmate, or to sensationalized reports of suicide Physical or medical issues, for example, becoming pregnant or having a sexually transmitted infection If you’re having unwanted side effects from the medication you’re currently taking, speak with your provider about switching to another one. Never skip an appointment

Moreland CS, et al. Effect of antidepressants on suicide risk in children and adolescents. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Feb. 20, 2018. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. National Vital Statistics System, Mortality 2018-2021 on CDC WONDER Online Database, released in 2023. Data are from the Multiple Cause of Death Files, 2018-2021, as compiled from data provided by the 57 vital statistics jurisdictions through the Vital Statistics Cooperative Program. Accessed at http://wonder.cdc.gov/mcd-icd10-expanded.html on Jan 11, 2023 ADAA reserves the right to remove or edit posts that contain explicit, obscene, offensive, or vulgar language. Similarly, posts that contain any graphic files will be removed immediately upon notice. Has experienced a severe life stressor recently, such as the death of a spouse, the loss of a job, or a traumatic event

Suicide prevention: Risk and protective factors. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/factors/index.html. Accessed April 14, 2023. Suicide is the act of taking one’s own life. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, taking the lives of approximately 47,000 Americans each year.Female 3: In fact, the best way to keep a teenager from killing herself is to ask, "Are you thinking about killing yourself?" Self-harm—or the act of deliberately inflicting pain or damage to one's own body—is often conflated with suicidal ideation or intention. But though some people who self-harm do also have thoughts of suicide, that isn't universally the case. Self-harm can be dangerous in itself, however, and indicates some degree of mental unwellness, even absent any suicidal thoughts; thus, anyone who is self-harming, or has a loved one who is doing so, should seek help as soon as possible, regardless of the behavior's connection to suicidality. Suicide does not just occur in high-income countries but is a global phenomenon in all regions of the world. In fact, over 77% of global suicides occurred in low- and middle-income countries in 2019.