Suicide, or the act of ending one’s own life, is NEVER the answer.What are the risk factors for suicide?
Risk factors, or things that could increase the likelihood of someone attempting suicide include the following:
- Relationship problems
- Depression (especially if left untreated)
- Drug or alcohol abuse
- Work related problems
- Loss of a loved one
- Severe and long term stress
- Previous suicide attempts
Military service members also have additional risk factors for suicide, including:
- Frequent deployments
- Long term deployments
- Service Related Injury
- Deployments to hostile environments
- Exposure to extreme stress
- Physical or sexual assault while in the service
- Soldiers in trouble for misconduct
What are the warning signs that someone is suicidal?
Warning signs are different from risk factors because they are actions that actually suggest a person might attempt suicide. Some of the most common warning signs are:
- Talking about suicide
- Giving away one’s belongings
- Not talking to friends or family
- Acting unusual
- Increased use of alcohol or drugs
- Feeling even more depressed and hopeless
- Experiencing dramatic mood changes
How can you help?
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Get Help Immediately!!!!!
Do Not Leave The Person Alone!!!!
Ask the person directly if he or she is having suicidal thoughts and if they have a plan to kill themselves. Take all threats seriously, especially if they have a history of suicide attempts or are depressed.
Suicide and the Military
According to Donna Miles, of the American Forces Press Service, Army suicide rates are on the rise. In 2006, 102 active duty soldiers committed suicide. Suicide is committed at a rate of 17.5 per 100,000 in 2006, a large increase from the 2005 rate of 12.8 per 100,000. The numbers of suicide attempts are even greater. In 2007, over 2,000 soldiers attempted suicide which is an increase from 1,400 in 2006.
The Army is taking this very seriously and has implemented a large suicide prevention program through the U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventative Medicine. Follow the link to find presentations, a more detailed description of the program, materials, and how to train others in suicide prevention. The ACE program (Ask your buddy, Care for your buddy, and Escort your buddy) is just one example of the great resources available to army personnel.
The Syracuse VA also has a Suicide Prevention Team. The phone number is (315) 425-6580.
Links for General Information about Suicide
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
New York Office of Mental Health – SPEAK (Suicide Prevention Education Awareness Kit)
New York Suicide and Crisis Hotline Numbers
Links for Information about Suicide and the Military
Army Behavioral Health Suicide Prevention
Hooah4Health: Suicide Prevention
Department of Veteran’s Affairs: Suicide
U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine – Suicide Resources
Source: USACHPPM. Suicide Prevention; National Suicide Prevention Lifeline