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Self-directed Violence:

Did you know suicide is a serious public health problem that can have lasting harmful effects on individuals, families, and communities? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention the causes of suicide are complex and determined by multiple factors, the goal of suicide prevention is simple: Reduce factors that increase risk and increase factors that promote resilience.

CDC also states that having a consistent definition of self-directed violence is important because a large body of literature about suicide and suicide prevention exists.

Definitions:

• Suicide- Death caused by self-directed injurious behavior with any intent to die as a result of the behavior.
• Suicide attempt- A non-fatal self-directed potentially injurious behavior with any intent to die as a result of the behavior. A suicide attempt may or may not result in injury
• Suicidal ideation- Thinking about, considering, or planning for suicide.

CDC Facts at a Glance:

• Suicide was the tenth leading cause of death for all ages in 2010.
• There were 38,364 suicides in 2010 in the United States—an average of 105 each day.
• Based on data about suicides in 16 National Violent Death Reporting System states in 2009, 33.3% of suicide decedents tested positive for alcohol, 23% for antidepressants, and 20.8% for opiates, including heroin and prescription pain killers.
• Suicide results in an estimated $34.6 billion in combined medical and work loss costs.

CDC Nonfatal Suicidal Thoughts and Behavior Facts:

• Among adults aged ≥18 years in the United States during 2008-2009.

• An estimated 8.3 million adults (3.7% of the adult U.S. population) reported having suicidal thoughts in the past year.
• An estimated 2.2 million adults (1.0% of the adult U.S. population) reported having made suicide plans in the past year.
• An estimated 1 million adults (0.5% of the U.S. adult population) reported making a suicide attempt in the past year.

• There is one suicide for every 25 attempted suicides.
• Among young adults ages 15 to 24 years old, there are approximately 100-200 attempts for every completed suicide.

Prevention Education Programs at David Lawrence Center:

David Lawrence Centers offers prevention education programs that focus on a variety of mental health and substance use topics. These programs provide alternatives, information dissemination and problem identification on substance use, suicide, conflict resolution, anger management, behavioral problems and depression. For more information and to take a look at our prevention program, click here. Get Help Now, Call 239.491.7602, or Contact us, here.