Health and Family

Suicide

Suicide

Suicide is one of the most difficult tragedies a family and community must face. The suicide rate, which is influenced by a myriad of factors and is difficult to prevent, is the second lowest in the Hampton Roads region.

Why is This Important?

Suicide and suicide attempts cause enormous tolls in terms of loss of life, physical impairment and medical costs, grief and suffering, and disruption of families and communities.  In 2009 alone, 960 Virginians died from suicide, an increase from 938 in 2008. Research also suggests that social stigma leads to inaccurate reporting; thus, the number of suicides and suicide attempts may be understated.

How is Hampton Roads Doing?

Within Virginia, the Hampton Roads region (10.8) had the second lowest rate of suicides per 100,000 population in 2009. The lowest suicide rate was in the Northern region (9.7); the highest was in the Southwest region (21.2 suicides per 100,000 population).

What Influences Suicide?

Multiple factors influence suicide rates, making suicide very difficult to prevent and suicide attempts difficult to treat. The factors are:

• History of mental disorder, particularly depression.
• History of alcohol and substance abuse.
• Family history of suicide.
• Family history of child maltreatment.
• Feelings of hopelessness.
• Impulsive or aggressive tendencies.
• Barriers to accessing mental health treatment.
• Loss (relational, social, work or financial).
• Physical illness.
• Easy access to lethal methods.
• Unwillingness to seek help because of the stigma attached to mental health and substance use disorders or suicidal thoughts.
• Cultural and religious beliefs.
• Local epidemics of suicide.
• Isolation, a feeling of being cut off from other people.
• Previous suicide attempt(s).

Two groups particularly at risk are young people and the elderly. According to the Centers for Disease Control, adolescents and young adults often experience stress, confusion and depression from situations occurring in their families, schools and communities. Among the elderly, most suicide victims are seen by their primary care provider a few weeks prior to their suicide attempt and diagnosed with their first episode of mild to moderate depression (DHHS 1999). Older adults who are suicidal are also more likely to be suffering from physical illnesses and be divorced or widowed (DHHS 1999; Carney et al. 1994; Dorpat et al. 1968).

Military veterans -- especially those who have served in Vietnam, Iraq and/or Afghanistan -- have emerged recently as another group who are at higher risk of suicide, largely due to an increased risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); left untreated, PTSD can lead some to take their own lives.