In 2005, the following statistics were put together about suicides in the USA by age group by the WHO
AGE People
5-14 272
15-24 4,202
25-34 4,981
35-44 6,536
45-54 6,976
55-64 4,195
65-74 2,338
75+ 3,051
If you or someone close to you shows signs of heading toward suicide, please call for help immediately.
Don’t know the signs? Here’s a few ways to know if you or someone you know needs help:
(taken directly from suicide.org website)
- Appearing depressed or sad most of the time.
(Untreated depression is the number one cause for suicide.) - Talking or writing about death or suicide.
- Withdrawing from family and friends.
- Feeling hopeless.
- Feeling helpless.
- Feeling strong anger or rage.
- Feeling trapped -- like there is no way out of a situation.
- Experiencing dramatic mood changes.
- Abusing drugs or alcohol.
- Exhibiting a change in personality.
- Acting impulsively.
- Losing interest in most activities.
- Experiencing a change in sleeping habits.
- Experiencing a change in eating habits.
- Losing interest in most activities.
- Performing poorly at work or in school.
- Giving away prized possessions.
- Writing a will.
- Feeling excessive guilt or shame.
- Acting recklessly.
*It should be noted that some people who die by suicide do not show any suicide warning signs.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255), it’s free and available 24/7.
You can also visit suicide prevention websites. These sites give you tips on what signs to look out for, and what you can do to help.
http://www.suicidepreventionlifelinel.org/
This is a fantastic idea! I am so glad you guys are going to discuss not only the CM episodes as entertainment, but also the more serious and relevant issues raised within the episodes. Thank you for posting this! :) I would also like to add that if you know someone who committed suicide, please join a support group and/or therapy to help you work through not only the feelings of sudden loss but also the feelings of guilt. But please try to remember that it was ultimately that person's decision. Yes, we should keep an eye out for warning signs but please do not beat yourself up for feeling like you failed to notice any signs. It is not your fault!!!
ReplyDeleteThe statistics by WHO that you listed are interesting. It seems as though those 35-54 have the highest numbers. I wonder if mid-life crises/ mid-life evaluation plays a role. Interesting.
ReplyDeleteAnother thing brought up in the episode was Munchausen by proxy. This illness, however, is mostly detected by medical personnel because one would have to know the person's medical history and such, making it less likely for a normal person to spot. Munchausen is when a person fakes or inflicts illness or injury upon himself in order to obtain attention and sympathy. Munchausen differs from hypochondria in that the hypochondriac has an irrational fear that they are ill, whereas those who suffer from Munchausen know that their illness is feigned or caused by themself. Munchausen by proxy is when the illnesses are inflicted not on oneself but on another, hence the proxy, and the proxy is usually a child. I believe that women are more likely to suffer from it than men but don't quote me on that. The unsub in the episode was a bit more than Munchausen By Proxy because they usually only seek attention and sympathy; they don't get off on death because then they'd have to find another proxy. There was an infamous case of MBP where a woman even had a blog for their "sickly" child where she received tons of attention and sympathy. The child's doctors became suspicious and put a hidden camera in the child's hospital room. They filmed her taking poop out of her child's diaper and putting it in the child's either intravenous bag or feeding tube, I can't remember. Yup, pretty horrible. If people think CM is depressing they should try reading the news. *sigh* :(