Warning signs often precede suicide attempts
Instances of suicide can be found throughout the United States and in Cache Valley. By recognizing the warning signs and utilizing the available prevention options and organizations, suicide rates can be pushed down.
The Utah Death Certificate Data reports that the Bear River District (which is comprised of Cache, Rich and Box Elder counties) has a suicide rate of 13.5 per 100,000 persons. This is only a slightly lower rate than the state total of 15 per 100,000 persons.
According to Dr. John Bailey, director of the Bear River Health Department, these rates are overall unreported.
“I believe that there are several reasons for under-reporting, the most common of which is that suicide is often confused as being an accident,” Bailey said. “It can be difficult to determine the intent or lack of intent after an incident. Also there is a strong social stigma associated with suicide and a physician may err on the side of accident if there is any question at all.”
The two age groups most affected by suicide are teenagers and the elderly. Elderly suicides are often the result of aging factors such as a loss of a spouse, diagnosis of a terminal disease and a sense of hopelessness, Bailey said.
Youth suicides are believed to be associated with the traumatic effects of the transition from childhood to adulthood, and the intense pressure that can exist there, Bailey said.
There are also gender disparities in suicide. Although women are more likely to attempt suicides, men commit the vast majority of all reported cases, Bailey said.
This can be attributed to the method used in the attempt, Bailey said. Men are more likely to use violent means and weapons, whereas women tend to use less-immediate means such as poison, he said.
The Violence and Injury Prevention Program at the department of health has conducted a study known as the psychological autopsy in which they compiled records about suicide victims in order to distinguish some commonalties and create preventative techniques.
The information was collected from such places as school records, medical examiners’ records, friends and family perspectives and the juvenile justice records, said Cal Cazier, media and education coordinator of the Office of Violence and Injury.
This ongoing study has shown that of the victims ages 13 to 21, most were not in school at the time, had some connection with juvenile justice and more than 90 percent were diagnosed as having some kind of mental illness, Cazier said. Oddly enough very few of the victims were receiving treatment for their mental health problems at the time of their death, he said.
“The single most-effective way of preventing suicide is to get these kids mental help,” Cazier said.
Parents of mentally disturbed or depressed children should eliminate the accessibility of household firearms, and everyone should take suicide threats or attempts seriously, Cazier said.
Other warning signs include changes in behavior, Bailey said. This not only includes changes from outgoing to reclusive, but changes from constant sadness and depression to a sudden peace and happiness, he said. This can be a clue the individual has made a choice to end things and feels good with the resolution, Bailey said.
“Suicidal thoughts is a transient, temporary condition. Very few individuals have chronic, permanent suicidal thoughts,” Bailey said. “Almost all of those with suicidal thoughts are in acute situations that can be worked through if the individual can get themselves to the proper kind of support system.”
Some of these support systems may include the suicide hotline, private psychological help, the Bear River Health Services or just talking to a trusted friend, Bailey said.
“Everybody ought to establish as part of their safety network a trusted friend, family member, clergyman or just someone that they can confide in,” Bailey said.