SUICIDE FACTS

Suicide can be preventable through education. It's of the utmost importance that one is aware of the signs. If a young person shows any signs sited below, take them seriously. Talk to them, ask if they are thinking about suicide, and if they have a plan. Addressing this issue and seeking professional help, could save their life.

Facts about youth suicide

For every 2 homicides in the U.S. there are 3 suicides.

Every 1 hour and 53 minutes, we lose another young person by suicide, that's a Columbine a day!

Most teen suicides are impulsive with little or no planning and 70% occur in the victim's homes.

An adolescent is twice as likely to complete suicide if a gun is kept in the home.

Suicide rates amongst youth ages 15-24 have increased more than 300% since the 1950's.

Facts about suicide

Suicide is the ninth leading cause of death in the U.S., claiming approximately 30,000 lives each year.

The suicide rate is higher for the elderly than for any other age group.

Suicide is preventable. Most suicidal persons desparately want to live. They are just unable to see any alternative to their problem.

Most suicidal persons give definite warning signs of their suicidal intentions, but others are often unaware of the significance of these warnings, or unsure what to do about them.

Talking about suicide does NOT cause someone to be suicidal, nor does it mean that someone is less likely to commit suicide.

Four times as many men kill themselves as do women, but three to four times as many women attempt suicide as do men.

Firearms are the most common method of suicide across all age, sex, and ethnic groups, and rates are increasing.

Suicide cuts across all ethnic, economic, social, and age boundaries.

Surviving family members not only suffer the trauma of losing a loved one to suicide, but are themselves at a higher risk of suicide and emotional problems.

Warning signs to look for

Giving away prized possessions
Poor school performance
Change in eating habits and sleep patterns
Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
Extreme personality changes
Family history of suicide
Anxiety or panic
Trouble concentrating
Previous suicide attempts
Aggressive, destructive, or defiant behavior
Neglect of personal appearance or hygiene
Increase in alcohol or drug consumption
Talking, writing or drawing about their own death
Withdrawing from family or friends
Personal Loss:
          a break up of a relationship
          parents divorce
          death of a loved one
          rejection of a friend
          low grade or failure in a course

About Gay and Lesbian Youth Suicide

Suicide is the leading cause of death among Gay and Lesbian
Youth nationally.

      It has been estimated that as many as 30% of the completed youth
      suicides in the United States involve, as contributing factor.
      Confusion over identity and or isolation because of sexual
      identity.

30% of Gay Youth attempt suicide near the age of 15.

Gays and Lesbians are two to six times more likely to suicide than
heterosexuals.

Almost half of the Gay and Lesbian teens state they have
attempted suicide more than once.

50% of all gay youth reportedly experience suicidal feelings.

Gay males, Lesbians, and bisexual youth comprise as much as
25% of youth on the streets.

      According to the United States Department of Health and Human
      Services, 26% of young Gays and Lesbians are forced to leave
      home because of conflicts over their sexual orientation.

It has been conservatively estimated the 1,500 Gay and Lesbian
youth commit suicide every year.

28& of Gay and Lesbian youth drop out of school because of
discomfort in the school environment.

Suicide Risk Factors

TAYLOR HEALTH
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