Suicide Prevention
Goal: Reduce the number of suicide attempts and mortalities in Saginaw County.
Measure
The number of suicide mortalities.
Why This Indicator is Important
Suicide, a potentially preventable public health problem, has been a leading cause of death nationwide for decades. Its impact, whether measured in deaths, attempts, medical costs, economic impact, or effects on the survivors, is enormous.
Risk factors for suicide include previous suicide attempts, history of mental disorders such as depression, history of alcohol and substance abuse, family history of suicide, barriers to accessing mental health treatment, loss (relational, social, work, or financial), physical illness, and easy access to lethal methods. Males are four times more likely to die from suicide than females although women report attempting suicide during their lifetime about three times as often as men.
Caucasians are twice as likely to complete suicide as African Americans, and the highest rate of completions is found in older adults, particularly white males aged seventy‐five and older. The impact of suicide is devastating whether measured in terms of numbers of deaths, attempts, economic and medical benefit costs, or the impact on survivors who have lost someone close to them to suicide.
Risk factors for suicide include previous suicide attempts, history of mental disorders such as depression, history of alcohol and substance abuse, family history of suicide, barriers to accessing mental health treatment, loss (relational, social, work, or financial), physical illness, and easy access to lethal methods. Males are four times more likely to die from suicide than females although women report attempting suicide during their lifetime about three times as often as men.
Caucasians are twice as likely to complete suicide as African Americans, and the highest rate of completions is found in older adults, particularly white males aged seventy‐five and older. The impact of suicide is devastating whether measured in terms of numbers of deaths, attempts, economic and medical benefit costs, or the impact on survivors who have lost someone close to them to suicide.
How Are We Doing?
Saginaw County’s historic averages have remained at or below national averages and below state averages (except for 2005). There was a significant drop in 2004, followed by a 6.2 increase per 1,000 people in 2005, pulling the countywide rate above state averages in the most recently reported years.
Although the number of suicides have decreased in Saginaw over the last 10 years, so has the population, making the rates higher than in the past. Michigan has had a sharp increase in the suicide rate while experiencing a decline in the population.
In 2006, more than 33,000 suicides occurred in the U.S.; the equivalent of 91 suicides per day. In 2007, there were 395,320 people treated in emergency departments for self‐inflicted injuries and 165,997 were hospitalized due to self‐inflicted injury. It is estimated that there is one suicide for every 25 attempts.
Although the number of suicides have decreased in Saginaw over the last 10 years, so has the population, making the rates higher than in the past. Michigan has had a sharp increase in the suicide rate while experiencing a decline in the population.
In 2006, more than 33,000 suicides occurred in the U.S.; the equivalent of 91 suicides per day. In 2007, there were 395,320 people treated in emergency departments for self‐inflicted injuries and 165,997 were hospitalized due to self‐inflicted injury. It is estimated that there is one suicide for every 25 attempts.
How Can You Have An Impact?
- If someone is suicidal, he or she must not be left alone. Try to get the person to seek help immediately from his or her doctor or the nearest hospital emergency room, or call 911. It is also important to limit the person’s access to firearms, medications, or other lethal methods for suicide.
- Increase awareness of suicide risk factors, warning signs, and sources of help. Know the facts.
- De‐stigmatize mental illness and encourage help‐seeking behavior.
- Lead, start, or join community‐based collaborations dedicated to suicide prevention.
- Raise awareness of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1‐800‐273‐TALK (8255), a free, 24‐hour hotline.
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