92B Suicide

Question 1

Do men or women kill themselves more often? who tries more?

Answer 1

Men (x4) die more; women try more

Question 2

Who commits suicide more young (15-24) or old (>64)

Answer 2

Old, but younger group has fewer competing causes of death so its #3 cause

Question 3

Old people suicide stats

Answer 3

most seen within a PCP w/in a few weeks
more likely to have big illness, divorved/widowed
Men w/ firearms

Question 4

Suicide Risk Factors

Answer 4

Prior attempts
Mental illness (depression, addiction)
Family history of suicide
Hx of child maltreatment
Hopeless
Aggressive/impulsive
no mental health treatment (barrier or unwilling)
recent interpersonal loss/isolation
Illness
Access to lethal mean
Local suicide "epidemics"

Question 5

Physician - suicide risk

Answer 5

Age adjusted mortality is lower but suicide risk is higher; much more successful when attempting

Question 6

mental illness/mood disorders/addiction and suicide

Answer 6

95% of completed suicides have active mental ilness
2/3 have mood disorder (panic and anxiety)
1/3 have addictions (younger group)

Question 7

Where should emphasis in suicide prevention be placed?

Answer 7

minimizing period of time the entire group (inpatients) is “at risk”
NOT finding high-risk individuals