9-2-08

Suicide Prevention

Suicide is a major public health problem in the U.S. which can be prevented.

There are about 30,000 suicides in the U.S. each year and about 600,000 attempted suicides are treated in hospital emergency departments.  Even when the suicide attempt does not result in death, the individual and family suffer great pain and anguish, says Dr. Jeffrey Bennett, assistant professor of psychiatry at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield.  He explains some situations which can cause some individuals to attempt suicide.

SOUND BITE: “. . . people who have unemployment, have recent losses such as divorce or death of a close friend or acquaintance or relative are at higher risk.  People who have medical problems that are chronic, severe or unremitting.  And then people who have almost any kind of psychiatric disorder, usually depression, or severe anxiety or bipolar disorder or schizophrenia are considered to be high risk factors.”

Dr. Bennett says it is very important for individuals who are suffering from mental disorders to get treatment.  He says there is no specific formula for knowing if someone plans to attempt suicide, but advises family members to watch for some of the warning signs.

SOUND BITE: “. . . changes in behavior and certainly in adolescents, recent losses such as a failed relationship, excessive or inappropriate expressions of anger or bullying or aggression, problems with withdrawal into their rooms, lack of socialization or changed amounts of socialization.  Drug use is an extremely important risk factor.  I would say in the adult population, the use of alcohol is probably the foremost modifiable risk factor for suicide.”

Dr. Bennett advises family members or close friends to make sure an individual who might be thinking about suicide gets helps from their primary care physician or a mental health counselor, or call 1-800-SUICIDE.

This is Ruth Slottag at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield.