Suicide

By: Jorge Tabarés

Introduction – What is Suicide?

The idea that people have about suicide of a bad way to die is universal and shared by everyone. In other words, an unacceptable way of dying according to society and even punished by the law.

Christianism, Judaism, Buddhism, Islamism and Hinduism have opposed suicide as if it were sin, although it has not always been like that.

In ancient Greece, the Roman Empire, Scandinavia, Feudal Japan, Egypt or China, suicide was practiced by diverse motives of honor: a military defeat, or another dramatic example will be the sacrifice of the widows at their husband´s funeral.

Why do People commit suicide?

Depression Bipolar Disorder Schizophrenia PTSD Postpartum Depression

Depression

Untreated depression is the number one cause for suicide. Depression occurs because of an imbalance of chemicals in the

brain. Unfortunately, many people do not receive treatment for depression,

and those, are at risk for suicide.

PostPartum Depression

“After two months of suffering from severe anxiety attacks, feeling very, very sad but not really being able to cry and not being able to talk to anyone, I thought I must be losing my mind. I wanted to end it all. I thought my husband, new baby and four kids would be better off without me. I didn't really want to die. I didn't want to live either if I was going to be like this.”

Women usually begin to experience postpartum depression within the first two weeks after childbirth. 

Schizophrenia Four in ten people who suffer from schizophrenia attempt suicide.

One in ten people who suffer from schizophrenia dies by suicide.

People with schizophrenia often have hallucinations and/or delusions. They may hear voices that no one else can hear, believe that other people are controlling their thoughts…

The disorder is caused by genetic factors and is not caused by a response to negative experiences, stress, alcohol or drug use.

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder that causes strong mood swings or "episodes."

A manic episode may occur when an elevated mood exists with three or more of the other symptoms for most of the day, nearly every day, for one week or longer.

A depressive episode occurs when several of the above symptoms last for two weeks or longer. Basically if "the blues" last for two weeks, you probably have depression, or have experienced a depressive episode.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) PTSD is a mental disorder that may occur in people who experience or witness

intense violence, serious accidents, or life-threatening situations.

Military combat Rape Domestic violence Assault Sexual molestation Sexual abuse A kidnapping

Experiencing a rapid heart beat

Extreme vigilance - Always feeling "on guard"

Difficulty working Sleep disturbances Irritability

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Suicide (LGBT)

Teen Suicide

"I always knew that I was gay. I also remember seeing heterosexual couples and knowing that I wasn't like them. I would get very depressed about not being like other kids. Many times I would take a kitchen knife and press it against my chest, wondering if I should push it all the way in," 

Why do these people to commit suicide? Ignorant people cannot accept others that are not like them. And they do not

understand that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trangender people do not "choose" their orientation;they are born lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender, just like some people are born with white skin and others are born with black skin.

And the discrimination, ignorance, and intolerance that members of the LGBT community experience when they are young continue into adulthood.

Teen Suicide

Most teens interviewed after making a suicide attempt say that they did it because they were trying to escape from a situation that seemed impossible to deal with or to get relief from really bad thoughts or feelings.

Causes of Teen Suicide

Death of a parent. Divorce of parents. Feeling like a "pawn" that is being used between

feuding, divorced parents. Joining a new family with a step-parent and

step-siblings. Breaking up with a boyfriend / girlfriend. Moving to a new community. Not feeling accepted by peers.

Suicide Statistics

U.S. Suicide Statistics (2001)Breakdown by Gender / Ethnicity / Young, Old Age Groups

Rate Per

Number Per Day 100,000 % of Deaths

Total ......................30,622...............83.9...........10.8................1.3

Males ....................24,672...............67.6............17.6................2.1

Females...................5,950...............16.3..............4.1................0.5

Whites....................27,710...............75.9............11.9................1.3

Nonwhites................2,912..................8.0.............5.6................0.9

Blacks......................1,957..................5.4.............5.3................0.7

Elderly (65+ yrs.).....5,393................14.8............15.3................0.3

Young (15-24 yrs.)...3,971................10.9.............9.9...............12.3

Statistics 2001, 2004, 2005 Graph

Prevention

How to prevent a suicidal person to commit suicide? Always take suicidal comments very seriously.

Try not to act shocked.

Get help Immediately, do not handle the situation by yourself.

Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes

Carver Mark Brittain Sarah Byrnes