Suicide Questions That Are Frequently Asked & Phone Numbers

FYI: Every 100 minutes, another teenager will commit suicide.

Many of our letters come from teenagers struggling to understand the suicide attempts of friends or family. These are some commonly asked questions:


Q. What percentage of high school and college students who kill themselves are male? Why do you think more/ less males than females kill themselves?

A. Seventy-five to 80 percent are male, although more females attempt suicide. Males are often more involved than females in forms of aggressive and violent behavior, and their methods tend to be more violent and deadly.



Q. I've heard that suicides are more frequent around the holidays.

A. Suicides are not more frequent during the holidays. It appears that the rates are the highest in April, and in June and July. (Source: Vital Statistics of the United States.) It is true, however, that if someone is feeling alone, depressed or isolated, these feelings often intensify around the holidays.



Q. It is often said that a suicidal person goes through a period in which she seeks help from other people. Does this then mean that it COULD ultimately be the fault of other people (because they don't appear concerned enough) that one decides to kill herself?

A. No way! That's not a fair conclusion, although it could be a contributing factor in some cases, particularly with the elderly or with terminally ill people.



Q. What is the most common cause of suicide among college students?

A. Ninety-five percent are suffering from depression. If depression is combined with substance abuse, anxiety, anger, hopelessness, impulsiveness and desperation, the risk of suicide increases.



Q. Besides talking to a suicidal person and encouraging him to go for counseling, what else can another person or friend do to prevent this?

A. Going with someone to the counselor often helps. If the person won't listen to you, you may need to talk to someone who might influence him. Saving a life is more important than violating a confidence; remember that.



Q. People often get uncomfortable when one discloses something as intimate and frightening as suicidal thoughts. What do you think can be done to reduce this stigma, either of suicidal or depressive people? Can people actually "change" their minds and accept someone who is suicidal?

A. As people recognize that suicidal behavior is the result of a complex medical and psychological condition, and not a sign of weakness, it will change. It will probably take a long time to change.



Q. What is the most frequent method of suicide? Is it different for men and women?

A. Sixty percent of all people who commit suicide kill themselves with a firearm, accounting for more than 18,000 deaths each year in the United States. Firearms are now the most frequent method of suicide for men and women of all ages, including boys and girls aged 10 to 15 years.

United States Hotline Numbers
1-800-SUICIDE
1-800-273-TALK
1-800-784-2433
1-800-273-8255

TYY: 1-800-799-4TTY



TeenLine Hotline Help Center

4:00pm - 10:00pm / Monday - Saturday
http://www.teenline.org/

(714) NEW-TEEN
(714) 639-8336 


COVENANT HOUSE


1-800-999-9999

•A Place For Kids (Teens & Adolescents)
•A Place For People Who Care About Kids

•Need help talking with your teen?





The Trevor Project

To aid in suicide prevention & In gay and questioning youth

The Trevor HelpLine

1-800-850-8078 

Statistics have shown that gay teens are three times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers.



WHAT IF THE HOTLINE NUMBER FOR MY LOCAL AREA IS NOT GOOD?

•Call numbers in your state, even if they are outside your city or county.
•Some of the 800, 888 or 877 numbers are toll-free in the entire state.
•Visit the USA National page of this site for toll free National hotlines.

•Call 411 and ask for:, •Dial 0 and ask for:,•Check the FRONT pages of the phone book for:,

◦suicide prevention

◦crisis intervention

◦hotlines - crisis or suicide

◦community crisis center

◦county mental health center

◦hospital mental health clinic



•Or, call 911 and ask for help. Tell them you are in suicidal danger.