Suicide
Statistics, Symptoms & Signs
College Statistics
• Female children and adolescents are approximately 4 times as likely
to attempt suicide as males. However, males are more than 4 times as likely
to complete suicide and tend to choose more lethal means. Source: Moskos,
et al., 2004.
• College students with suicidal ideation are more likely to engage
in high risk behaviors, such as driving or boating while intoxicated,
engaging in physical fights, carrying weapons, and failing to wear seatbelts.
Source: Centers for Disease Control.
• 10.3% of students considered suicide during the prior 12 months.
6.7% of these students made plans to harm themselves. Source: Centers
for Disease Control, 1997.
Suicide Can Be More Common in Some Populations
• Increasing among people ages 15-24
• People who are living alone or are socially isolated
• Native Americans and Euro-Americans
• The elderly
• Gays, lesbians, bisexuals
• Higher among those who are separated, divorced or widowed than
for those who are married or partnered
• The unemployed
Individual & Clinical Risk Factors
• History of suicide attempts
• Severe feelings of hopelessness, guilt, anxiety, anger or sadness
• Family history of suicide
• Overuse of alcohol
• Terminal illness or chronic physical or emotional pain
• Experiencing loss and/or separations
• Attraction to death
Suicide can be also be triggered by a number of things including:
• Stressful events, such as a failed exam or failure to get a job
• Crises in significant social or family relationships
• Interpersonal losses
• Changes in body chemistry
• High levels of anger or anxiety
Depression alone or in combination with aggressive behavior, substance
abuse and/or anxiety is found in over half of all suicides. If depression
is present, substance abuse, anxiety, impulsivity, rage, hopelessness
and desperation may increase the risks of suicide. (Source: The Jed Foundation)