Perhaps there is no act among the animal kingdom that is so singularly human than the intentional and voluntary action of taking one’s own life. And, there is probably no other human behavior that has invoked such a wide range of societal reaction across time and within different cultures. Depending on where and when an individual might have lived, reactions include indifference, acceptance, expectation, prosecution and punishment. Although written about for approximately 4,000 years, it wasn’t until 1642 that the word, “suicide”, was coined.
By contemporary definition, a suicide isn’t ruled as such unless there is evidence that the act was intentional. Therefore, family members who hide any evidence, impulsive acts of self-violence and suicidal people who want their families to be eligible for survivor benefits make suicide one of the most underreported statistics. In addition, it has been estimated that at least 10% and as high as 40% of all police shootings are intentionally provoked by the victim in an act known as, “Cop Assisted Suicide”.
Stories about suicides permeate the news. Very recently, the CEO of the Chicago Metra Train system, accused of embezzlement, stared down at the oncoming train and committed suicide on his own tracks. Earlier this year, a 15-year-old from Ireland hung herself after being the subject of school bullying and Marie Osmond’s 18-year-old son jumped from the eighth floor to end his depression.
Demographically, there are four male suicides for each female; however, females attempt suicides twice as often as males and in the age group of 15 to 24 years old, suicide is the third leading cause of death. However, when considering all age groups, the more than 30,000 suicides each year surpass homicides as a cause of death, even surpassing Parkinson’s, meningitis, HIV infections, and accidents involving firearms, drowning, and fires combined. Yet despite being so well known to all cultures across the lifespan and occurring at a frequency that exceeds other causes of death that captures so much public attention, one must ask, “Where’s the public outcry”? Why is it that suicide risk isn’t discussed openly the way we embrace other major public health issues; underage drinking, drug use, unprotected sex, flu epidemics, smoking, and seatbelts, to name a few?
The public opinion holds a great deal of misinformation about suicides. Here are a few of the more popular myths:
Myth: If people talk about killing themselves, they won’t do it. Fact: Talking about suicide is often a clue. Always take any mention of suicide seriously.
Myth: Suicidal people are mentally ill. Fact: Some mentally ill people do kill themselves. However, the majority of suicidal people are ordinary and seemingly healthy.
Myth: Asking people if they are suicidal might plant the idea in their head. Fact: Asking people if they are suicidal will usually lower their anxiety level and act as a deterrent by letting them talk.
Myth: Suicides occur without warning. Fact: Many suicidal people plan their self-destruction in advance and there are usually clues about their intentions.
It’s time that we address the real issues about suicide and to do that we need to educate ourselves about suicide awareness and prevention strategies. Look for opportunities in your community to learn more about suicide prevention activities and if you have teenaged children, encourage them to become informed as well.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, please call your local Community Mental Health agency. Gratiot County residents can call (989) 463-4971. For people living in Isabella County the number is (989) 772-5938. Or, immediate assistance can also be obtained by dialing 911, 211 or the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).