Suicides Peak During the Winter Months: Fact or Myth

Myth: Most people think the winter holidays are a risky time, but suicides are lowest in December and peak in the spring.

You are a LEO. You have undoubtedly responded to a reported suicidal subject, an active suicidal attempt, or completed suicide call. Actually, you have probably reported to multiple calls. According to the CDC in 2013 (the most recent year for which full data are available) 41,149 suicides were reported. That means that someone in our country died by suicide every 12.8 minutes. It’s time to dispel any myths or personal stereotypes suicide in or to actively impact those you have sworn to protect and serve. Test your knowledge about suicide with these 20 additional fact or myth questions about suicide and depression.

People who complete suicide almost always leave notes.

Myth: Most people don’t leave notes.

People who die from suicide don’t warn others.

Fact: Out of 10 people who kill themselves, eight have given definite clues to their intentions. They leave numerous clues and warnings to others, although some of their clues may be nonverbal or difficult to detect.

Depression is always the cause of suicide.

Myth: Two of every three people who commit suicide are depressed at the time they take their life. However, alcoholism plays a role in 1 in 3 completed suicides.

People who attempt suicide are weak.

Myth: NO. They are in pain and probably have a chemical imbalance in their brain. Many people who are very "strong" die by suicide.

Teenagers and college students are the most at risk for suicide.

Fact: The suicide rate for this age group is below the national average. Suicide risk increases with age. Currently, the age group with the highest suicide rate in the U.S. is middle-aged men and women between the ages of 45 and 64. The suicide rate is still highest among white men over the age of 65.

Suicides can trigger "copycat" attempts.

Fact: Exposure to others who have committed suicide may reduce some of the barriers to people also considering suicide.

Suicide is painless.

Myth: Many suicide methods are very agonizing. Fictional portrayals of suicide do not usually include the reality of the pain (i.e.: fires, cutting, drowning, and certain toxins).

Suicides are more common on weekends.

Myth: Multiple studies have confirmed that suicides occur more often at the beginning of the week (Monday and Tuesday).

Men are at greater risk than women.

Fact: While three times more women than men attempt suicide, four times more men than women actually kill themselves.

The great majority of suicides are among minority groups in lower socioeconomic classes.

Myth: More white, middle-class and affluent people commit suicide. However, suicide still crosses all racial/ethnic groups and classes.

Most suicide attempts fail.

Fact: Fortunately, only 1 in every 10 to 25 attempts actually results in death.

There is no genetic predisposition to suicide.

Fact: There is no genetic predisposition to suicide - it does not "run in the family."

People who are suicidal definitely want to die.

Myth: The vast majority of people who are suicidal do not want to die. They are in pain, and they want to stop the pain.

Suicide rates climb with altitude

Fact: The greater the elevation of a person's home, the higher the risk of suicide. Suicide rates are about 70% higher in regions 2,000 meters in elevation, for example, compared to at sea level.

Barriers on bridges, safe firearm storage and other actions to reduce access to lethal methods of suicide don’t work. People will just find another way.

Myth: Limiting access to lethal methods of suicide is one of the best strategies for suicide prevention. Many suicides can be impulsive and triggered by an immediate crisis. Separating someone in crisis from a lethal method can give them something they desperately need: time. Time to change their mind, time to resolve the crisis, time for someone to intervene.

There are more suicides than homicides.

Fact: Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death among all adults in the United States. There are twice as many suicides as homicides.

Firearms are the most common method of suicide for both men and women.

Myth: While firearms accounted for 56.4% of male suicides, poisoning was the most common method for women at a rate of 36.2% in 2012.

Antidepressants will change your personality.

Myth: Antidepressants are designed to change only certain chemicals that underlie the symptoms of depression, not to change your personality.

Suicide is inevitable.

Myth: 90% of people who attempt suicide and survive do not go on to die by suicide.

More LEOs commit suicide than are killed in the line of duty.

Myth: However, more LEOs commit suicide than are killed by felons.

Conclusion

All suicides are preventable.

Myth: But, most suicides are, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Unfortunately, many of the individuals who are at risk for attempting suicide never receive the treatment they need due to stigma, lack of access to treatment, or lack of knowledge about their symptoms. In most cases, individuals who attempt or complete suicide have symptoms that mental health intervention could alleviate.

If nothing else carry the following crisis information with you, and make sure they are listed in any community liaison publications your agency provides its citizens. Hey LEOs, you are human; even your tactical vest can’t protect you from every assault. Take good care of your mental and emotional health; talk to someone when something is off.