Preventing Depression-Related Suicide

Separate the Myths from the Facts

-- By Liza Barnes, Health Educator

Did you know that each year in the United States, more people die of suicide than of homicide? In 2004, suicide accounted for 32,439 deaths in the U.S., but over 750,000 people actually attempted to take their own lives, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Suicide is also the third leading cause of death for young people between the ages of 15 and 24.

About 18 million Americans suffer from depression, and untreated depression is the number one cause of suicide. Fortunately, there are lots of things that you can do to prevent a friend or loved one from choosing suicide as a solution to their problems. But first, it's important to dispel some of the myths that get in the way of suicide prevention. Here are some common myths and facts:

Myth #1: A person who talks about committing suicide rarely follows through. He is probably just trying to get attention.

Fact: Actually, two-thirds of people talked about their intentions before committing suicide. Rather than "crying wolf" just to get attention, they are more likely reaching out for help because they are experiencing overwhelming pain. If someone you know has mentioned the desire to die by suicide, take her seriously and act immediately. (See “How to Help” below.)

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• EMMASMART "I usually ask anyone in that situation if they have a plan and what is it. ..."
• MELOMAR "This article is so true, although another bothersome myth that I heard was ..."
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