In England, suicide claims the life of one person every two hours. This equates to 4,400 people committing suicide each year, and at least 10 times that number attempt to take their own lives. There are certain genetic factors at play which may make you or a loved one more likely to consider suicide, such as gender and age, but there are also behavioural patterns to watch out for in case you think a loved one’s mental wellbeing is at risk.
In almost all cultures, the suicide rate rises with age and roughly 75% of suicides are men. In the UK, the group with the highest number of suicides is men aged 35 – 49. However, there are also behavioural and environmental risk factors which may serve as a warning about your loved one’s mental wellness. These include drug and alcohol misuse, unemployment, social isolation, poverty, poor social conditions, imprisonment, violence and family breakdown. Mental health conditions are also a major factor, as roughly 90% of suicide victims suffer from a psychiatric disorder at the time of their death.
If a loved one has already attempted suicide, they are at an increased risk of pulling it off. Nearly 20% of suicide attempt survivors try again within a year, and this group of people is 100 times more likely to go on to complete suicide than those who have never attempted it. However, suicidal thoughts or tendencies are often temporary, and you can reduce your loved one’s risk of trying to take their own life if you find them appropriate and timely help and emotional support.
A focused campaign has, in recent years, lowered the numbers of suicides among younger men aged 25 – 34, as this was previously the highest category. Warning signs of suicides – such as evidence of self-harm or suicidal thoughts – can provide potential opportunities to intervene and save lives. However, prevention of suicide is not the exclusive responsibility of any one individual or sector of society. While schools can create a culture in which young people feel safe and comfortable talking through their difficulties, GPs can restrict the number of tablets prescribed to those at risk of overdose. A&E staff can ensure that anyone who attempts suicide will receive a specialist mental health assessment, and you can play your part by paying close attention to the overall mental health of your loved ones.
