Suicide is a broad, well researched topic. Current and past research on suicide and suicidality explores warning signs, at risk populations, causes, assessment, treatment and prevention, among other issues.
Granello, D.H. (2010).The process of suicide risk assessment: Twelve core principals. Journal of Counseling & Development, 88, 363-371.
Sigelman, C. & Rider, E. A. (2006). Life-Span Human Development 5th Edition. Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth.
Malone, K.M., Oquendo, M.A., Haas, G.L., Ellis, S.P., Li, Shuhua, & Mann, J.J. (2000). Protective factors against suicidal acts in major depression: Reasons for living. American Journal of Psychiatry, 157,7, 1084-1088.
Granello, D.H. (2010).The process of suicide risk assessment: Twelve core principals. Journal of Counseling & Development, 88, 363-371.
Dozier, R.W. (2002). Why we hate. New York, NY: Contemporary Books.
Who is affected, Why:
The act of suicide can be committed by children, adolescents, and adults, although some age groups rank higher than others for suicide rates. Suicide is also seen across cultures, though, like age, some groups demonstrates higher rates than others. In many cases, individuals suffering suicidal thoughts do not actually wish to die, they wish to bring an end to psychological pain (Granello, 2010) or physical pain (Sigelman & Rider, 2006).
Granello, D.H. (2010).The process of suicide risk assessment: Twelve core principals. Journal of Counseling & Development, 88, 363-371.
Sigelman, C. & Rider, E. A. (2006). Life-Span Human Development 5th Edition. Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth.
Each year in America, an estimated 30,000 individuals commit suicide.
According to a report posted online by the American Association of Suicidology, nearly all suicide attemptors were glad to have survived and grateful for intervention yet, suicide ranked eleventh in leading causes of death in America and an estimated 30,000 individuals commit suicide each year (Malone, et al., 2000).
Malone, K.M., Oquendo, M.A., Haas, G.L., Ellis, S.P., Li, Shuhua, & Mann, J.J. (2000). Protective factors against suicidal acts in major depression: Reasons for living. American Journal of Psychiatry, 157,7, 1084-1088.
Why? What motivates these individuals?
The reasons behind the thoughts or threats of suicide are unique to each suicidal person, although there are three common motivations that have been outlined. These motivations are communication, control, and avoidance. Persons motivated by communication use suicide to let others know that they are in pain. Persons motivated by control use suicide as a way to influence others or elicit specific responses. Persons motivated by avoidance use suicide as the only perceived solution to an overwhelming problem (Granello, 2010).
Granello, D.H. (2010).The process of suicide risk assessment: Twelve core principals. Journal of Counseling & Development, 88, 363-371.
Suicide and Our Culture
Rush Dozier (2002) proposes in his book, Why We Hate that American culture 's emphasis on independence and individual success creates a predicament for individuals that fail to live up to the personal expectations they have set for themselves based on cultural messages. It is this predicament that can lead to a bad attitude about ones own abilities and for some people, the bad attitude can lead to self hatred . Dozier furthers that current culture and suicide rates are related because when individuals hate themselves they begin a downward spiral of negative thoughts that lead to self destructive, suicidal behaviors (Dozier, 2002).
While society does not promote suicidal thinking directly, social influences can play a role in a person's decision making. Individuals can feel pressures from family members or peers and incorporate influences from either in their decisions as well.
Dozier, R.W. (2002). Why we hate. New York, NY: Contemporary Books.
