September 10th is the annual World Suicide Prevention Day. Suicide rates are shooting for the stars, with almost 800,000 people taking their own lives each year. The deteriorating political and economic climate combined with inflation has made life difficult for many people. This can make people feel like there is no point in the life struggle, but we know that there is a lot to live for.
The theme this year is ‘Creating Hope Through Action.’ So, get to acting. Let us promote active counseling and support and break down the stigma surrounding mental health. Together we can lower suicide rates into non-existence.
Which People Are at the Highest Risk of Committing Suicide?
Suicide knows no statute of limitations. It can affect anyone, anywhere, and at any time regardless of a person’s background, age, race, gender, or religion. There are, however, certain factors that can increase the risk of developing suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Some of those factors are:
Depression
Depression and suicide go hand-in-hand. People with depression can be overcome with feelings of worthlessness, helplessness, and hopelessness. They can feel that they are tired of carrying the world’s burdens on their shoulders and that the only solution is to check out of life early on their own terms.
Substance Use Disorder
Substance use disorder degrades a person’s physical health, mental health, and coping skills. People with this disorder experience mood swings, hallucinations, impulsivity, and aggression. Regular episodes of extreme mood swings could be bipolar disorder in Portland, Maine. NIHM studies show that in 20% of all suicide cases, substance use disorder was present.
Dual Diagnosis
The co-occurrence of a mental health issue with a substance use disorder is known as a dual diagnosis in Portland, Maine. Dual diagnosis requires more specialized and personalized treatment to effect a full recovery.
Chronic Pain
Chronic illness and pain affect the professional, academic, and social aspects of a person’s life. Chronic pain can make someone feel isolated, increasing their anxiety, depression and lead to a twofold risk of committing suicide.
Social Isolation
Social isolation reduces a person’s feeling of support and sense of belonging while increasing feelings of loneliness, rejection, and abandonment.
Economic Hardship
Economic hardship is a difficult situation to escape from and causes increases in stress, discrimination, and social stigma. People who feel like social pariahs are two to three times more likely to attempt suicide.
Legal Problems
Legal problems tarnish a person’s reputation, relationships, work life, and finances. The feelings of shame, guilt, anger, and fear lead to a fourfold increase in suicide risk.
Trauma
Exposure to violence and other traumatizing events negatively affects a person’s mental health and well-being. Post traumatic stress disorder in Portland, Maine is a common condition for such people, and many see suicide as the only coping method.
The above are a few of the major factors that can increase the risk of suicide. But there have been many cases of people who lived full, comfortable, and happy lives committing suicide for no perceivable reason. Below are a few statistics about the state of suicide today.
- Every 40 seconds sees someone commits suicide, totaling an estimated 703,000 people per year.
- 20 people make a suicide attempt for every one person that succeeds.
- Globally, suicide is the fourth highest cause of death among teenagers and young adults.
- More than 79% of suicides globally happen in low to middle-income countries.
- Firearms, hangings, and taking pesticides are the most common suicide methods globally.
- The Eastern Mediterranean sees the world’s lowest suicide rates (3.8 per 100,000 population), while Europe sees the highest (12.8 per 100,000 population).
- Men see a twofold risk over women to commit suicide.
- Creating support systems, providing affordable mental health care, and raising awareness (such as through World Suicide Prevention Day) all work at preventing suicide.
What Are Some Facts About Suicide?
Suicide is part of a global mental health emergency.
- 1 out of every 15 adults in America suffers from depression. We have a depression treatment center in Portland, Maine that can assist you.
- People between the ages of 45 and 64 are the most common suicide victims.
- Women make more suicide attempts than men, but men die more often from suicide attempts.
- Suicide cases have risen by a whopping 60% in the last 45 years.
How Should People Observe World Suicide Prevention Day?
Connect
Reach out and be there for someone who is suffering from depression. Learning to spot the warning signs of depression can help us take action early enough to prevent suicide.
Discuss
Openly talking about this issue will eradicate the stigma surrounding mental health illnesses that cause so many people to suffer in silence. Hosting or attending events on World Suicide Prevention Day that discuss how mental health problems intensify suicidal thoughts will be beneficial for you as well as your community
Search for Resources
World Suicide Prevention Day provides many resources for educating people about suicide and suicide prevention. Resources include an abundance of books, online events, blogs, and films that help build a person’s knowledge base.
Casco Bay Recovery Acknowledges World Suicide Prevention Day and Provides Dual Diagnosis Programs
Diagnosing the presence of a co-occurring mental health issue with substance use disorder is important for preventing suicidal behaviors and thoughts. Dual diagnosis programs, such as those found at Casco Bay Recovery, work at each end of the conjoined problem to bring about a healthy and stable recovery.
Casco Bay Recovery’s staff in Portland, Maine excels at providing competent and comprehensive treatment for mental health issues as well as other addictive disorders. Today as we observe World Suicide Prevention Day and contact us, let us help you along your journey to sustained recovery and rehabilitation.
References:
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/suicide-prevention
