UNDERSTANDING SUICIDE

"Suicide is among the ten leading causes of death worldwide each year and is one the top five causes among 15-19 year olds (World Health Organization, 2001). Indeed, more teenagers and young adults die from suicide than from cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke, pneumonia, influenza, and chronic lung disease combined (Oklahoma Youth Suicide Prevention Task Force, 1999)." Source: Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Services in Schools http://www.nasponline.org/advocacy/span_dec_suicide.html

"Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem."
- Phil Donahue, Talk Show Host

Current research indicates that when depressive illnesses and substance abuse are present, it increases the risk for suicide, particularly among adolescents and young adults. There are different types of depressive illnesses, including depressed mood, dysthymia (low-grade depression), major depression and adolescent depression. Depressive illnesses can cause people to think unclearly or irrationally. They can also cause people to feel hopeless and helpless, which may lead them to have suicidal thoughts. It is important to note that depression and suicidal feelings are treatable.

For more information on depression and suicide, including warning signs and how to help someone who is suicidal, visit the following sites:

A.D.A.M., Inc.: Depression
http://health.yahoo.com/health/encyclopedia/003213/0.html

American Association of Suicidology
http://www.suicidology.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=2

Suicide Awareness Voices of Education
http://www.save.org/

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
http://www.afsp.org/index-1.htm

National Strategy for Suicide Prevention
http://www.mentalhealth.org/suicideprevention/default.asp

If you are thinking about suicide, go to the nearest hospital emergency room & ask for help. The national suicide hotline phone number is: 1-800-SUICIDE.