SOS: A Handbook for Survivors of Suicide - American Association of ...

Suicide Facts & Myths (continued)
� FACT: Firearms are now used in more suicides than homicides.
It’s the fastest-growing method, used in nearly 60% of all suicides. Next is
hanging/strangulation/suffocation at nearly 20%; solid & liquid
poisons/overdoses comprise about 10%; gas poisons are used about 6% of the
time; the remaining number of suicides employ other methods including
jumping from a high place, cutting & piercing, drowning, jumping/lying before
moving object, burns & fire, and crashing of a motor vehicle. 7
� MYTH: Someone who attempts suicide will not try it again. Many
suicide victims have made prior attempts, sometimes several. These attempts
can be in the form of reckless behavior that is not recognized as suicidal. 8
� MYTH: Suicide is hereditary. There is no “suicide gene.” However, if you
come from a family where someone has killed himself, you are at greater risk
of suicide than the average person. The reason isn’t clear, but part of it may be
due to the example set by the relative, and part of it due to inherited factors
such as depression and temperament. 6
� FACT: Up to 15% of all fatal traffic accidents may be suicides
according to some experts. 9
� MYTH: Once a suicidal crisis has passed, the person is out of
danger. Many suicides in which there was a prior attempt occur during a
period of perceived improvement in mood and state of mind. It is theorized
that this is because the individual has regained the energy to put his suicidal
thoughts into action. 8
� MYTH: Most people kill themselves during winter or the
Christmas holidays. In fact, the most common season for suicide is spring,
when the contrast between depression and nature’s annual rebirth may make
life seem increasingly intolerable for the suicidal.
15