Most people who commit suicide provide some type of warning to those around them. The signs are similar to those of depression and can include a loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed, isolation and a preoccupation with death. In general, a specific plan for suicide with a date/time and access to lethal methods indicate a clear danger of suicide.
Suicide prevention includes educating people to recognize and respond to the warning signs of suicide. Physical or mental health evaluations may help identify disorders related to the suicidal thoughts/behavior. Preventive treatment can include medication (e.g., antidepressants) and/or psychotherapy. In rare and severe cases, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may be recommended.
About suicide
Suicide is the deliberate taking of one’s own life. Based on mortality figures from the 2000 census, suicide has been ranked as the 11th leading cause of death in the United States. In 2001, for example, the number of suicide deaths was 30,622 (approximately 1.3 percent of total deaths that year). More people die every year from suicide than from homicide.
People who wish to kill themselves often experience overpowering feelings of despair, hopelessness and isolation that cloud their judgment. Such intense feelings are considered abnormal reactions to normal events in life such as loss, disappointment, rejection or failure. Stressful events in a person’s life may trigger the extreme emotions that can lead to suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
