Suicide and your health & wellness

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Many people have thoughts of suicide 

In 2020, 12.2 million adults nationwide thought about dying by suicide. Groups at highest risk to die by suicide include:

  • Non-Hispanic American Indians
  • Alaska Natives
  • Non-Hispanic White Americans 

Males are four times more likely to die by suicide, making up almost 80% of deaths by suicide.

Suicide is a complex problem. It is often related to a constellation of events, experiences and feelings. No matter what you're feeling, Your Life Iowa is here to support you. Talking about suicide can be scary. YLI can help and connect you with local resources.

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Suicide is preventable

Most individuals are desperate to live. They are unable to see alternatives to their problems. 

Strategies to help prevent suicide include:

  • Improving access to medical care.
  • Promoting healthy connections.
  • Teaching coping skills.
  • Identifying and supporting people at risk. 
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Suicide risk factors

A combination of many factors contributes to suicide risk. This include individual, relationship, community and societal factors. 

Suicide risks include, but are not limited to:

  • Alcohol / substance use and gambling disorder
  • Barriers to care
  • Cultural and religious beliefs
  • Easy access to lethal means
  • Exposure to others who have died by suicide
  • Family history of suicide
  • Family history of child abuse
  • Feelings of hopelessness
  • History of trauma or abuse
  • Isolation, feeling cut off from other people
  • Lack of support
  • Local suicide clusters
  • Loss (relationships, social, work or financial)
  • Being impulsive or aggressive
  • Major physical illness
  • Mental disorders
  • Previous suicide attempt
  • Stigma associated with asking for help

Talking with someone about suicide does not increase chances of suicidal thoughts or actions

Asking someone about suicide can often be an opportunity to open up about their feelings. Asking about suicide won't insult them or make them have thoughts of suicide. Asking about suicide lets people know that you care. 

Most deaths in Iowa involving a firearm are suicide deaths

Access to lethal means is one of the risk factors of someone dying by suicide. A lethal means is anything that could end one's life. 

Of all lethal means, firearms are the most common. Accounting for approximately half of all suicides in Iowa. Approximately 80% of all firearm-related deaths in Iowa are suicides.

If concerned about your own access or a loved one's access to lethal means, help is available. Call, text or chat with a Your Life Iowa counselor today to learn how to best protect yourself or others.  

Women are more likely to attempt suicide than men

Many risk factors for a suicide attempt, like family history and substance use, aren't based on gender. Gender can play a role in suicide risk. Women are three to four times more likely to attempt suicide than men. Men are more likely to die from a suicide attempt than women.

Suicide & brain injury

Studies show that brain injuries in adulthood can lead to a higher incident of suicide.

Screening for brain injury is a best practice. Especially for patients in any healthcare, community, or corrections-based setting. Brain injury screening tools assess a person's exposure to brain injury. 

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Suicide & stigma

Stigma continues to happen because of the language we use. How we talk and think about suicide matters. Our words and actions impact the health or those experiencing suicidal thoughts. 

The stigma associated with suicide can prevent people from talking about suicidal thoughts. It can also prevent them from accessing life-saving mental health care. 

Stigma around suicide can include negative beliefs or stereotypes. People may fear what other's think them as "weak" or a "failure" if they talk about having suicidal thoughts. Those who have lost a loved one to suicide may be hesitant to reach out for help because they are afraid of judgement. 

The good news is that there are safe, effective tools for combating stigma. 

Here are a couple of ways to reduce stigma and have more open conversations about suicide. 

  • Learn the risk factors and warning signs of suicide.
  • Learn what to do if someone expresses thoughts of suicide.
  • Learn and share the facts about suicide.
  • Use appropriate language
    • Avoid using the following phrases
      • "committed suicide"
      • "successful or unsuccessful suicide"
      • "failed attempt"
    • Instead use, "died by suicide" or "killed him/herself."
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Topics:

Mental health Suicide