|
Site Menu |
|
About |
|---|
| Welcome |
| Message From The President |
| Health Care F Y I |
| Contact Info |
|
Public Forums |
| Member Physicians |
| Member Hospitals |
| Legislative Page |
| Products & Services |
| The Bulletin Board |
|
Physicians |
| Join the Society |
| Employment |
| Physicians Bulletin Board |
|
Members |
| Members Private
Realm (requires a user and password) |
| Get Access to Private Realm |
|
H I P A A |
| HIPAA
- Notice of Privacy Practices Subscriber PHI Release Authorization Form Subscriber Pass Phrase Verification Form Subscriber Address Verification Form Physician Email Address Verification Form Physician Address Verification Form |
|
Our Sponsors |
| The Kirwan Companies What is a Medical Savings Account (MSA)? |
|
You can now contact your legislators by using the e-advocacy tool at: Capwiz http://www.capwiz.com/pamedsoc This tool helps you locate phone and fax numbers, e-mail addresses, and postal addresses of all local, state and federal elected officials, by simply entering your home zip code |
Welcome to the
Bucks County Medical Society
Community Bulletin Board SUICIDE: LIFTING THE MASK
By Norman C. Weissberg, Ph.D.* DID YOU KNOW THAT: SUICIDE WARNING SIGNS: WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP? 610-649-5250 If you are interested in training to be a volunteer, call 215-355-6611
for the
Physician
When I was growing up, the word “cancer,” if mentioned at all, was spoken in a whisper; it was too scary to say
the word out loud. Fortunately, that is no longer the case. But another word has taken its place and that word
is “suicide.” The word itself is fraught with strong negative emotions: fear, guilt, shame, profound sadness, anger,
regret, confusion, etc. So it is easier to ignore suicide than to confront it, to minimize its frequency, and to
distance oneself from those who are suicidal by dismissing them as “mentally ill.” Suicide is also a phenomenon
that is encased in misinformation, myths, and confusion. On this web page, I hope to dispel the myths and provide
accurate information about this major health problem.
MYTH: People who talk about suicide
are just trying to get attention.
FACT: People who talk about suicide
are in enormous psychological pain—no less real than excruciating physical pain. To dismiss or trivialize their
pain is a serious mistake. People who talk about suicide frequently attempt suicide.
MYTH: Talking with someone about
suicide increases the likelihood that he/she will attempt suicide.
FACT: Talking with someone about
suicide does not plant the idea in his/her head or fertilize a thought that is already there. To the contrary,
talking about one’s suicidal thoughts with someone who cares and is both compassionate and nonjudgmental is often
a welcome relief.
MYTH: Suicide can’t be prevented.
FACT: Most people who attempt
suicide are ambivalent about ending their life. What they want is for the pain to go away. Moreover, many exhibit
warning signs (More on this later). Recognizing and responding appropriately to these signs can prevent a suicide.
MYTH: If someone has attempted
suicide but was unsuccessful, that individual is unlikely to try again.
FACT: A prior attempt is a major
risk factor for a subsequent attempt.
MYTH: Parents and teachers are
usually aware of the fact that their child or student is deeply troubled and may be harboring suicidal thoughts.
FACT: Teens are quite skilled
at hiding their problems. Their outward behavior (laughing, joking, enjoying being with their friends) often masks
their inner turmoil and pain.
· Of the 15 leading causes of death, suicide ranks number 11 (Homicide ranks number 15). However, among
10-24 year olds, suicide is the third leading cause of death.
· In the United States in 2007 (the latest available data) there were 34,598 deaths by suicide. This translates
into one person killing him or herself every 15.2 minutes. Since 2000, the age-adjusted death rate for suicide
increased 8.6%. Of the 50 States and the District of Columbia, Pennsylvania’s suicide
rate ranks 32nd.
· The three most commonly employed methods of suicide are firearms (50.2%), suffocation/hanging (23.6%)
and poisoning (18.4%).
· Men take their own lives nearly 4 times the rate for women, but women attempt suicide 2-3 times more often
than men. The disparity between attempted and completed suicides is largely a function of the means employed. Men
more often use firearms—which are almost always fatal—while women more often employ poisoning.
· Male adults age 75 and older have the highest suicide rate; among adult women, those between 45-54 have
the highest suicide rate. However, regardless of sex, 45-54 year olds have the highest rate.
· In 2008, 8.3 million adults (3.7% of the adult population) acknowledged that they had serious thoughts
of suicide in the past year, 2.3 million had made a serious plan, and 1.1 million made an attempt.
· A previous attempt or gesture
· Talking or writing about suicide
· Appearing depressed most of the time
· Expressing feelings of hopelessness and helplessness to effect any change in one’s life.
· Expressing feelings of worthlessness and believing one is a burden on one’s family and friends.
· Despite a surface appearance of being connected to one’s family and friends, an internal belief, revealed
either verbally or behaviorally, that one is isolated, alone, and not bonded to others in one’s life.
· Giving away prized possessions
· Getting one’s affairs in order
· Dramatic mood swings
· Suddenly seeming happier and calmer after weeks of feeling depressed and/or agitated.
If you observe any of these behaviors in a friend or family member, tell him or her about your concerns. Listen
compassionately and non-judgmentally to what it is she/he is feeling and saying. Don’t give advice or come up with
simple solutions and don’t minimize, trivialize or dismiss his/her problems with statements like “You’ll get over
it.” Encourage your friend or family member to seek professional help. If you believe he/she is imminently suicidal,
strongly encourage him/her to call the NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE: 1-800-273-TALK (8255). In the five
county Philadelphia area, the hotline (which is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year) is staffed by volunteers
from CONTACT OF GREATER PHILADELPHIA.
To reach our warm and crisis line listeners, call:
215-355-6000
Serving the Physicians and Residents of
Bucks County PA since 1848
