The ratio of attempters to actual suicides is 40:1.
Twice as many females as males attempt suicide.
The most common method for attempting suicide is ingesting drugs, i.e., 75%.
Attempters experience a four-fold greater prevalence of stressful events in the month preceding a suicide attempt when compared to the general population. Attempters are more likely to have a diagnosis of antisocial personalityor hysteria than either primary depression or alcoholism.

Relationship of Suicide Attempts to Completions

About 1% per year of attempters die by suicide infollow-up studies of 1 to 5 years.
About one-third of all suicides had made a previous suicide attempt.

Diagnosis

Among suicide attempters the diagnoses of depression and alcoholism are obvious in 29% of cases whereas antisocial personality, hysteria and undiagnosed account for 46% of the cases.
The greatest number of serious attempts occur among depressives whereas the fewest occur among antisocials.

Alcohol and Suicide Attempters

Of suicide attempters 30-60% have blood alcohol levels of > 0.05 mg%.

Suicide Attempts and Serotonin

Preliminary studies suggest low levels of the serotonin metabolite 5-HIAA may be associated with violent suicide attempts.

"Anguish" Created by Tansy Pye About "Anguish" - From the Artist Artist Contact:   Elfwood Image remains sole copyright of the artist. Used With Permission Back To The Top SMHAI Discussion Forum The SMHAI Discussion Forum purpose is suicide awareness, support, education, and prevention for those whose lives have been affected by the suicide, those who may be attempters or self-injurers and for those who want to learn more about suicide and related issues. We also promote good mental health practices and information. Hope For SA ~ Online Support Group (For Suicide Attempters & Self-Injurers) Self-Help Inform your family about your depression and the depth of it, hire a therapist, check on procuring and taking anti-depressive medications, try to deal with your emotional problems and if you feel you are close to a suicide attempt, there are important things to think about and do. Make sure you have an agreement with your therapist to call him or her at any time for help. Learn how to get him or her at all hours - at the office or at home. Learn how to reach any substitute therapist who may be covering for your therapist when they are unavailable. Keep their numbers with you at all times. As soon as you need to, call your therapist. Do not wait and do not ignore suicidal thoughts, feelings or urges. Call for help at the first signs that you are in danger. Learn the most secure procedures for reaching an emergency room and/or for being admitted to the hospital. Seek out the phone numbers to the Community Mental Health Center and/or a local Suicide Prevention Service. Sometimes, they have an experienced mobile crisis team that can respond immediately and most of the time they do not involve the police. If you have trouble gathering the necessary information yourself, ask someone you trust to help you. Ask your therapist for advice on what you should do if you feel close to suicide. Frequently communicate with friends and family members. Let them know how you are doing and where you are located. Whenever possible, spend time with friends, at work or in some activity outside of your home. Keep your mind occupied and off of how bad, sad, or mad you are. Remove from the area, lethal amounts of drugs, all guns, sharp objects, or anything else that may be dangerous. Try not stay at home alone for long periods of time. Your therapist should be able to help you find a nearby in-person support group. Above all things, keep yourself safe! Online Screening Tools and Tests Anxiety Screening Test BiPolar Disorder Screening Depression Screening Test Stress Level Test Online Counselors MyTherapy.net See a therapist or mental health counselor online, in person, or on the phone. Get advice. Make a plan. Experience privacy and confidentiality in the comfort of your own home or office. Ask the Internet Therapist Our therapists are committed to working with people who are interested in improving their overall mental health, reducing anxiety, and enhancing relationship skills. Our online counselors are skilled in the areas of relationships, love addiction, co-dependence, stress, assertiveness, dysfunctional families, and chemical dependence. We are confident that we can assist you in making the connection with your loved ones more rewarding and meaningful. Psychology Online Psychology Online is an online clinic, where you can meet with a licensed professional counselor through their secure chat room. 123counselling.com 123counselling.com offers you professional online counselling by email, instant chat, or telephone, for a fee. 123counselling.com offers a friendly, genuine and confidential service which allows some degree of anonymity. Counselling can help with issues such as : bereavement, trauma, stress, anxiety, sexuality, addictions, self-esteem, abuse, anger management, illness, violence, depression, relationships etc., amongst many other issues. Counselling is not about giving you advice. It is a skilled process which enables you to reflect upon your experience, and to find the necessary skills and resources to put you back in control of your life. Self-Coaching out of Suicide Eliminate depression and prevent suicide using Dr. Joe Lucianis highly successful self-help program of Self-Coaching. Visit his free, interactive Web site and public forums. *** We do not endorse any of the online counseling links but provide them for you to use at your own discretion. Please use your best judgement when dealing with online services. Back To The Top Before You Kill Yourself Your mind’s made up You can’t take it anymore, Life’s impossible And suicide’s the answer to Heaven’s Door! Before you kill yourself Ask the 15-year-old, Who tried to electrocute himself. He lived, but now… He must carry on With both of his arms gone! What about jumping? Come see Jack, who survived his leap From a 10 story building. He lived, but now… He’ll always need care, He’s a vegetable—a mind like a cabbage, He lives in a fog, With irreversible brain damage. But worst of all… He knows he use to be normal! Come see the All American Football player Who thought he was cool and bought a gun And shot himself in the head at 21. He thought it would be easy And without any harm, He lived, but now… He can’t feel his legs and has a useless arm! He lost his dream, his vision and his hearing on one side But he lived Through his attempt at suicide! Then there was this Prom Queen Who was left comatose With extensive brain damage From her drug overdose. She mixed some alcohol with some pills It took awhile…but it definitely kills. First, you’re in excruciating pain Your eyes roll back & your skin turns yellow It’s not a pretty sight and it’s a hell of a way to go! Who will cut the rope from where you hang down? Who will identify your body after you’ve drowned? Who will scrape the mess from the ceiling? Or clean the blood off the carpet? A cleaning crew will refuse the job But somebody’s got to do it! Oh…and that carefully worded suicide note is no help For the unending pain that is forever felt! Who will it be? Your Sister? Your Mother? Your Father? Your Brother? Those who love you will never recover! They’ll have to live with regret and with all the guilt Along with all those unanswered questions. They love you…but down deep inside They hate your life ending decision! There are people who can help you Before you decide to put your life to an end, Call a hotline…or call a doctor Call the hospital…or call a friend. Call a minister…or call a priest Call a family member…or call the police!! They will help you And they’ll give you hope When your will is down And you can no longer cope! You say you don’t want to be stopped Are you definitely sure You want to commit suicide? Because if you fail You’re gonna wish that you were left to die! So…Before You Kill Yourself… Remember... Suicide is not always the answer, Nor is it always successful Consider your actions Because living with the results are dreadful! Copyright © 1985 by Marigrace Iodice. All rights reserved. Edited by SMHAI. Back To The Top SMHAI Home | About Suicide | About Mental Health | Suicide Prevention | Suicide Survivors Suicide Attempters | Self-Injury - Cutters | Crisis | Donate | SMHAI Library | Online Support & Resources Speakers & Presentations | Memorials, Remebrances & Celebrations Of Life | Healing Music Suggested Reading - Survivors | Suggested Reading - Attempters & Self-Injurers | Mental Health Pros. 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