Understanding suicide
Suicide is not inevitable and, in most cases, preventable.
Addressing the stigma and looking at the complex combination of risk factors is vital to enable us to integrate protective factors in suicide prevention strategies targeting people that research shows are at risk.
Statistics
United Kingdom statistics
- Every week approximately 115 people die by suicide
- 1 in 5 people in the UK have suicidal thoughts and 1 in 20 will attempt suicide.
- It is estimated that in England and Wales, at least 140,000 people go to hospital each year having attempted suicide
- Suicide is the leading cause of death for people under 35 years old
- For every life lost to suicide, the estimated total cost to the economy is around £1.67 million
- Scotland is the country with the highest rates with approximately 1 in every 7,000 dying by suicide
Global statistics
- One person dies from suicide every 40 seconds – more than all the yearly victims of wars and natural disaster and twice as many homicides
- Every year approximately 700,000 people take their own lives and approximately a million people affected
- Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death in 15-19 year-olds
- Up to 135 people are affected to some degree for every person lost to suicide; it can devastate communities and have a lasting impact on loved ones left behind
- 77% of global suicides occur in low and middle-income countries
Causes
Many of us – one in five – suffer from suicidal thoughts. Research shows that these thoughts can be interrupted and suicide can be prevented.
Some people experience interrelated risk factors in their homes, families, workpaces and communities. Coupled with difficult experiences, feelings and situations, it can seem to them that death is preferable to the pain and difficulty of continuing to live. Behind every death lies a tragic and unique story of insurmountable pain.
It is important to not over-simplify what could have driven someone to take their life. We should not speculate about their emotional state and we should not try to look for what went wrong or who is to blame.
Individuals who are educated, employed and have friends and family are not immune from thoughts of suicide. It does not only impact people with ongoing or historical mental health issues. Many deaths occur among those who have lived free from depression or anxiety.
It is most likely a combination of individual, relationship, community and societal risk factors that can increase the possibility that a person will attempt suicide. You can find some examples below.
- Previous suicide attempt
- History of depression and other mental illnesses
- Serious illness such as chronic pain
- Criminal/legal problems
- Job/financial problems or loss
- Mood disorders
- Substance misuse
- Adverse childhood experiences
- Sense of hopelessness
- Violence victimisation
- Stigma associated with help-seeking and mental illness
- Easy access to lethal means of suicide among people at risk
- Unsafe media reporting of suicide
- Bullying
- Family/loved one’s history of suicide
- Bereavement
- Loss of relationships e.g. divorce
- High conflict or violent relationships
- Social isolation
- Lack of access to healthcare
- Suicide cluster in the community
- Stress of acculturation
- Community violence
- Historical trauma
- Discrimination
Myths
Some terminology and assumptions around suicide add to the weight of social stigma and shame that it carries. These stereotypes only confirm to those at risk that they are misunderstood, inadequate or alone and are more likely to struggle in silence.
Here are some of the most harmful suicide myths debunked. Click each myth to see the real facts and explanations.
Fact: Asking someone if they’re suicidal could protect them.
Talking about suicide not only reduces the stigma, but also allows individuals to seek help, rethink their options.
It is safer to ask about suicide than not to ask about suicide. Conversations and language around suicide do need to be carefully managed. Asking someone if they’re having suicidal thoughts can give them permission to tell you how they feel and let them know they are not a burden.
Fact: Many suicidal crises can be relatively short-lived.
Most people who feel suicidal do not want to end their lives, they just want the situation they are in or the way they are feeling to end.
The distinction may seem small, but it is very important. It’s why talking through other options at the right time is so vital. Safely intervene to keep people safe until mental health services can take over.
Fact: Anyone talking about suicide needs serious attention.
They are in pain and may feel hopeless. Most people who die by suicide have talked about it first – we should always take seriously anyone talking about suicide.
Do not dismiss a suicide attempt as simply being an attention-gaining device. It is likely the person has tried to gain attention and, therefore, this attention is needed. The attention they get may well save their lives.
Fact: Warning signs, verbally or behaviourally, precede most suicides.
Most people struggling with thoughts of suicide try to communicate that they need help, sometimes at an unconscious level.
Many individuals who are suicidal may only show warning signs to those closest to them. These loved ones may not recognize what’s going on, which is how it may seem like the suicide was sudden or without warning. It is important to be alert to potential warning signs and be prepared to ask about suicide if you are concerned for someone else. These subtle warning behaviours and comments can easily be missed or spread across several people.
Fact: One in five people have thought about suicide at some time in their life.
However, many people who die by suicide have struggled with their mental health and some have no mental illness. There are some whose mental state meets psychiatric criteria for mental illness and who need psychiatric help. Suicide is complex and it is often most likely a combination of individual, relationship, community, and societal risk factors that can increase the possibility that a person will attempt suicide.
Fact: People who attempt suicide are suffering with deep feelings of exhausting despair, hopelessness, worthlessness, or other overwhelming feelings.
They often feel they are a burden to others. They may believe that suicide is the only way out to end their intense suffering and pain.
Fact: Active suicidal ideation is often short-term and situation specific.
Suicide is often an attempt to end painful emotions and thoughts. Once these thoughts dissipate, or a situation changes, so will the suicidal ideation. Research shows that the most intense periods of feeling suicidal will change after around 24 hours and suicidal thoughts can be interrupted with timely intervention.
However, some people will continue to have times in their life when they consider suicide, and extra support is needed for these people. For example, those with mental illness, the proper treatment can help to reduce symptoms. An individual with suicidal thoughts and attempts can live a long, successful life.
Warning signs
Most people who are thinking about taking their lives exhibit one or more warning signs, either through what they say or what they do.
A person may be suicidal if you see a change in behaviour or the presence of entirely new behaviours. This is of particular concern if the new or changed behaviour is related to a painful event, loss, or change.
Here are some of the potential warning signs that someone may be considering suicide:
Talk
- Killing themselves
- Feeling hopeless
- No one cares
- Having nobody or nothing to love
- Having no reason to live
- Being a burden or bothering others
- Feeling trapped
- Hating their life
- Feeling a failure
- Unbearable pain
- Wanting the pain or exhaustion to end
- Things would be better when they are gone/dead
- Problems will be over soon
- Lack of interest in the future
Behaviour
- Previous suicide attempts
- Preoccupation with death in art, poetry, social media, TV, etc.
- Self-destructive behaviour
- Impulsive, reckless behaviour
- Apathy about appearance or health
- Increased use of alcohol or drugs
- Looking for a way to end their lives, such as searching online for methods
- Dwindling performance at school or work
- Withdrawing from activities
- Isolating from family and friends
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Visiting or calling people to say goodbye
- Giving away prized possessions
- Making a will or final arrangements
- Saying good-bye to family and friends
- Writing letters and asking them not to be opened
- Aggression and/or rage
- Extreme fatigue
Mood
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Loss of interest in things
- Frequent irritability
- Feelings of humiliation and/or shame
- Outbursts of agitation and/or anger
- Unexplained crying
- Self-loathing or self-hatred
- Relief or sudden elation, extreme happiness