SUICIDE DOSENT HAVE TO BE TABOO

| View Show | Create Your Own Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the U.S. In the U.S. more people die by suicide each year than die because of HIV or homocide.Males are 4 times as likely to die by suicide than females-although females attempt suicide 3 times as often as males.White Americans are more likely to die by suicide than Americans of other racial backgrounds.Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death among those Americans between ages 15-24 and second leading cause of death among those between the ages 25-34.Suicide rates increase with age.Elderly people who die by suicide are often divorced or widowed and suffering from physical illness.There is a strong association between suicide and mental illness. 90% of suicides that take place in the U.S. are associated with mental illness, including disorders involving the abuse of alcohol and other drugs. 50% of those who die by suicide were afflicted with major depression and the suicide rate of people with major depression is 8 times that of the general population.Suicide is a preventive health problem. HOW CAN YOU HELP SOMEONE WHO IS THREATENING SUICIDE? 1.Be aware. Learn the warning signs. 2.Get involved.Become available.Show interest and support. 3.Ask if he/she is thinking about suicide. 4.Be direct.Talk openly and freely about suicide. 5.Be willing to listen.Allow for expressions of feelings.Accept the feelings. 6.Be nonjudgmental.Don't debate whether suicide is right or wrong,or whether feelings are good or bad. 7.Don't lectureon the value of life. 8.Don't give advice by making decisions for someone else to make them behave differently. 9.Don't ask "Why?" This encourages defensiveness. 10.Offer empathy,not sympathy. 11.Don't act shocked.This creates distance between you. 12.Don't be sworn to secrecy.Seek support. 13.Offer hope that alternatives are available.Don't offer glib reassurances; that only proves you don't understand. 14.Take action.Remove means such as guns or stockpiled pills. 15.Get help from individuals or agencies specializing in crisis intervention and suicide prevention. From the American Association of SuicidologyIF YOU ARE WORRIED ABOUT A FAMILY MEMBER,A FRIEND,OR YOURSELF, CALL 1-800-273-TALK(8255), THE NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE.A TRAINED COUNSELOR IS AVAILABLE TO SPEAK WITH YOU 24 HOURS EVERY DAY.DON'T HESITATE JUST MAKE THE CALL!!!