Hockenbury Discovering Psychology 5th txtbk

Enhancing Well-Being with Psychology573ENHANCING WELL-BEING WITH PSYCHOLOGYUnderstanding and Helping to Prevent SuicideWho Commits Suicide?Suicide and attempted suicide are all too common. Each yearin the United States about 30,000 people take their own lives.For every death by suicide, it’s estimated that 25 people haveattempted suicide (American Association of Suicidology, 2004).In any given year, some 500,000 people require emergencyroom treatment as a result of attempted suicide (McCaig &Burt, 2004).Most people don’t realize that close to twice as many Americansdie each year from suicide as from homicide. In 2002, suicide wasthe 11th leading cause of death, while homicide ranked 14th (NationalCenter for Health Statistics, 2004).Women outnumber men by three to one in the number of suicideattempts. However, men outnumber women by better thanfour to one in suicide deaths, primarily because men tend to usemore lethal methods, such as shooting and hanging (Kochanek& Smith, 2004).Suicide is the third leading cause of death for young peopleages 15 to 24. Over the past four decades, the suicide rate foradolescents and young adults has increased by almost 300 percent(U.S. Public Health Service, 1999). Although this trend hasreceived considerable media attention, the suicide rate of adolescentsand young adults is still below that of older adults. Infact, the highest suicide rate consistently occurs in the oldestsegments of our population—among those age 75 and above(Kochanek & Smith, 2004).A notion that is often perpetuated in the popular press is thatthere is a significant increase in the number of suicides duringthe winter holidays. This claim is a myth, plain and simple. However,there are consistent seasonal variations in suicide deaths. Inthe United States, suicide rates are lowest during the wintermonths and highest in the spring (Romer & others, 2003).On average, someone commits suicide in the United Statesevery 17 minutes. It is estimated that each suicide affects thelives of at least six other people.What Risk Factors Are Associated with SuicidalBehavior?Hundreds of studies have identified psychosocial and environmentalfactors associated with an increased risk of suicidal behavior(e.g., Brown & others, 2004; Gould & others, 2003; Joiner& others, 2005; Lieb & others, 2005). Some of the factors thatincrease the risk of suicidal behavior include:• Feelings of hopelessness and social isolation• Recent relationship problems or a lack of significant relationships• Poor coping and problem-solving skills• Poor impulse control and impaired judgment• Rigid thinking or irrational beliefs• A major psychological disorder, especially depression, bipolardisorder, or schizophrenia• Alcohol or other substance abuse• Childhood physical or sexual abuse• Prior self-destructive behavior• A family history of suicide• Presence of a firearm in the homeWhy Do People Attempt or Commit Suicide?The suicidal person’s view of life has become progressively morepessimistic and negative. At the same time, his view of selfinflicteddeath as an alternative to life becomes progressivelymore acceptable and positive (Shneidman, 1998, 2004).Some people choose suicide to escape the pain of a chronic illnessor the slow, agonizing death of a terminal disease. Otherscommit suicide because of feelings of hopelessness, depression,guilt, rejection, failure, humiliation, or shame (Lester, 1997). Thecommon denominator is that they see suicide as the only escapefrom their own unbearably painful emotions (Jamison, 2000).When faced with a dilemma, the average person tends to seea range of possible solutions, accepting the fact that none of thesolutions may be ideal. In contrast, the suicidal person’s thinkingand perceptions have become rigid and constricted. She can seeonly two ways to solve her problems: a magical resolution or suicide.Because she cannot imagine a realistic way of solving herproblems, death seems to be the only logical option (Shneidman,1998, 2004).How Can You Help Prevent Suicide?If someone is truly intent on taking his or her own life, it may beimpossible to prevent him or her from doing so. But that doesnot mean that you can’t try to help a friend who is expressingsuicidal intentions. People often turn to their friends rather thanto mental health professionals. If a friend confides that he or sheis feeling hopeless and suicidal, these guidelines may help youhelp your friend.It’s important to stress, however, that these guidelines aremeant only to help you provide “psychological first aid” in a crisissituation. They do not qualify you as a suicide prevention expert.Your goal is to help your friend weather the immediate crisisso that he or she can be directed to a mental healthprofessional.So ubiquitous is the impulse to commit suicide thatone out of every two Americans has at some timeconsidered, threatened, or actually attempted suicide.DAVID LESTERGuideline 1: Actively listen as the person talks and ventsher feelings.The suicidal person often feels isolated or lonely, with fewsources of social support. Let the person talk, and try to genuinelyempathize with your friend’s feelings. An understandingfriend who is willing to take the time to listen patiently without