PIIMIC

Suicide - Suicide Occurrence and Statistics

The need for early intervention to prevent suicide is gradually becoming more widely recognized and supported. But even with the best of treatment, care and support, the risk of suicide does not disappear. It is especially high in certain categories such as troubled young males, mood disorders, schizophrenia, alcohol dependence and the first few months after a major loss. But suicide can occur whenever there is intense suffering, unbearable stress, feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, lost options and wishes to escape from suffering, together with lost ability to cope and to compensate, or lack of self-reliance and loss of connection to community supports. These conditions occur more often in psychiatric disorders, which can disable young people enough to divert them from completing their education or training.

Most people who kill themselves - up to 90 per cent of them according to some studies - are suffering from a mental illness. Reversing the comparison, not all of the mentally ill are suicidal, but 10 to 20 per cent of the deaths of people with severe depression and/or with other treatable psychiatric disorders, are reported to be caused by suicide. In comparison, about one per cent of all deaths in the general population are caused by suicide.

Looking at all age groups, suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people, ages 15 to 24. (Various kinds of accidents are the leading cause.) Young men are much more likely than young women to complete suicide and tend to use more violent means. In attempted suicide, the highest rate is among young women, with many attempts or deliberate self-inflicted injuries for every suicide death in this group.

In BC adolescents, suicidal ideas and (non-fatal) behaviour are a significant concern. The McCreary Center Society surveyed 26,000 BC students in grades 7 to 12 in 1998-99. Students were asked to report their personal suicidal status during the past 12 months:

•  14 per cent said they had thought about suicide
•  11 per cent said they actually planned suicide
•  7 per cent said they actually attempted suicide (4 per cent of boys, 9  per cent of girls)
•  2 per cent said they suffered injury, poisoning or overdose from  attempted suicide.

These figures report occurrences only for a 12-month span. The figures become much higher over a longer span, as in US studies which claim up to 60 per cent of high school students will seriously consider suicide between grades eight to 12; one in four will formulate a suicide plan, and one in ten will make a serious attempt. Fortunately, most suicidal youth reach out for help (See Community support topic).

In BC in the year 2000, highest rates of suicide by age group were reported among the elderly (75 and older); next were middle-aged males 40 to 44, and young adult males in their twenties. Suicide rates in BC are disproportionately high among Natives, especially among aboriginal males ages 15 to 24.

True suicide rates are probably under-stated, especially when mental illness is a contributing factor. Statistics on suicide depend on the accuracy of the cause indicated on death certificates.

Some suicides are not predictable; don't blame
Despite the wealth of studies and statistics, individual suicides can be unexpected and unpredictable. A person with serious mental illness who has previously attempted suicide is at increased risk for completing it. The first or subsequent impulse may be boosted by psychotic symptoms including commanding voices, and they can become overpowering. But the voices may be hidden or the subject may have made a private and partly rational decision to proceed. Thus suicide cannot always be prevented. Families (and emergency service workers) should not blame themselves for failing to see it coming in such cases - see Trauma and post-trauma support in this topic for further explanation. On the positive side, early intervention, diligent treatment and strong supports can reduce or divert suicidal impulses and help to treat the underlying mental illness with success.