How to Prevent Suicide

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for people between ages 15 – 34. Now, the question is where’s the effort to stop it? If 90% of people who commit suicide have a mental illness,

Suicide does not generally come without warning. Almost always, persons considering it show symptoms or provide clues to their intent. It is important, however, for crisis workers to know how to read these and be able to distinguish between myth and reality. (Kanel, 2003, p. 76)

Healthy People 2020 set a goal of reducing the number of completed suicides among the adult population by ten percent. This is a reoccurring theme from Healthy People 2010, where the goal was to reduce the number of suicides from 10.5 to 4.8 per 100,000. Unfortunately, from 2003 to 2013, rate of death from suicide has steadily increased to the current rate of 13.0 per 100,000 deaths (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013). The goal of Healthy People 2020 is to improve the health of our Nation over the next ten years, from a baseline set of data (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2014). Though suicide is not an illness, it typically is an untreated or undermanaged mental illness that results in a person resorting to

An increase in the global statistic of suicide rates has sparked a worldwide concern in mental health where it is put

Since it is not just one contributing factor, but many issues putting pressure on the victim, This is a societal issue on a large scale, not an individual one, since these suicides are occurring

Creating a systems approach to create a zero suicide environment for both healthcare providers and patients worked well for the Ford Health System HMO (Hampton, 2010). They were able to achieve zero suicides for at least one year in their HMO, which is something that everyone should strive for. As the owner of the clinic, I provide the endorsement starting from the very top of the organisation, and since it will be my clinic I will be able to create the appropriate culture. The next steps will be to provide all of the workers training and make sure that they are also on-board with the goal of achieving zero suicide deaths. I will also need to develop the appropriate protocol for myself to follow as well as anyone else that may recognize that a patient is experiencing a suicidal crisis. This could involve ensuring that there are spots reserved in my schedule for people who are experiencing a crisis, so that they can be seen as soon as possible. I could also have referrals available for those who need to talk to someone right away, but when I may not have any availability. Lastly, I will ensure that everyone working in my clinic knows what is expected from them at each position in the clinic (M. Class 3/1). Doing all these individual steps will ensure success as a clinic so that we can work to prevent suicide in all of the

In spite of the increasing rate of suicide, suicide is preventable. The Control Center for Disease Control and Prevention use a four- step approach to prevent and to educate the public on mental health issues. The four-steps consist of defining the problem and the risk, then developing prevention strategies and ensuring widespread adoption. With this intention, to reach the target of 10.2 set by Healthy People 2020 it is important to include public health intervention such as starting a campaign for opening the doors to talk about

Medical care in America is estimated to cost $2.7 trillion each year with roughly 30 percent of that cost attributed to ineffective or redundant care, approximately $800 billion (America's Health Insurance Plans, 2014; FOX, 2010). Within this section $44.6 billion is attributed to suicide treatment and medical cost (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015). The CDD further estimates that with approximately 40,000 people dying of suicide annually suicide contributes to the 10th leading cause of death for Americans, narrowly being outstrode by kidney disease and influenza yet still achieving a higher overall medical cost than the ninth and eighth ranked causes of death (Keren, Zaoutis, Saddlemire, Luan, & Coffin, 2006;Webberley, 2015).

People commit suicide on a daily basis, not only in the United States of America, but all over the entire world. Dying by suicide or losing someone from suicide can be incredibly traumatic for families, loved ones, and the victim. Also, dying from suicide by hanging, shooting, or harming oneself is not the utmost, moral, or ethical way to die, due to the physical pain. Furthermore, there are a

Aaron Kheriaty, director of the Medical Ethics Program at Cal-Irvine, wrote in his article First Things, that the “suicide crisis in America has reached epidemic proportions.” Suicide rates have continued to grow coast-to-coast in both urban and rural areas, and have affected the old and young alike. Amazingly, suicide rates have climbed so high that for the first time since the 1930s, the life expectancy of Americans has declined. When you think

"More people in the general population die from suicide than homicide in North America. There are almost 11 suicide deaths each year for every 100,000 people living in the United States, and for every suicide, there are between 8 and 25 attempts" (Brent 4203). Based on this research, the great effect of suicide is displayed. According to dictionary.com, suicide can be defined as "the intentional taking of one's own life." Suicide is a major issue for all people, but it most obviously affects those ranging from ten to twenty-four. People need to understand the tremendous ramifications caused from suicide everyday; when people take their lives, others lose their loved ones. Suicide, one of the leading causes of death of numerous people each day, has reached a crisis point for adolescents and young adults, and it needs to be prevented.

The goal of this organization is to, first and for most, reduce the number of suicides across the world. The campaign is designed to inform readers of the facts of suicide and the five signs to notice if someone is suffering. The goal of the campaign is to reduce the stigma on suicide by informing the world of the truth about suicide and mental illness and make it easier to talk about, instead of a feared topic that should be avoided. The organization does take donations, but more importantly offers a pledge for people to take to know the five signs that someone is suffering and inform those who pledge as to how to help when a loved one needs it. People can pledge as individuals or as groups, such as the entire state of New Hampshire. By informing people of the issue, signs and solutions, the numbers of those who receive the help that they need and deserve will grow and the numbers of suicides will be reduced. The pledge is easy to take and can be done in a short amount of time. Millions have already pledged to help the solution and millions more will as time goes on and the campaign reaches all areas of the United States, and the world. (Campaign to Change Direction). (Susman, David Ph.D. (2015, April 19)).

The CDC suggest that in order to help decrease suicide rates there is a need that needs to be addressed. The article states that “addressing the needs of middle-aged adults, such as those that help persons overcome risk factors, which include economic challenges, job loss, intimate partner problems or violence” is needed to help change this trend (CDC, 2013). The CDC even realises this connection and their idea for a resolution further strengthens the classification of anomia. The analysis by Kennedy and King also leads to a similar conclusion. The paper says “if the state were able to reduce the proportion of... indebted farmers by one per cent, the suicide rates.., would be reduced” (Kennedy, 2014, 8). This common theme in addressing the cause of suicide shows the dependence we have on the economy. As the economy starts to decrease, so do social connections and inevitably depression and anxiety ensue. This leads to the increase in suicide and in order to fight this from occurring, people need to be shown they do have support and they need to be given some

It has been highlighted that the removal of means used for suicide is important in management of individuals, and modification of general access to dangerous means can also be effective in suicide prevention at the population level

Suicide is currently the 10th leading cause of death in the United States (Suicide and Self-Inflicted Injury, 2017). On average, 121 Americans complete suicide each day (CDC Fatal Injuries Report 2015, 2015). The American people are living longer with advances to medical care and technology, yet suicide rates continue to rise. According to the CDC, suicide rates have increased by 24% from the year 1999 to 2014 (Curtain, Warner & Hedegaard, 2016). Consequently, the suicide epidemic continues to grow with no clear path to prevention. This literature review was conducted using the Robert Morris University Library online databases. Databases accessed include PubMed…………., from the years 2000 to 2017. Overall, most the articles obtained are