This difference is essential because in serious cases, depressive disorders can be life-threatening, with suicide as a possible consequence.

1. DEPRESSION AND SUICIDE
By Dr Jose Poulose, M.D

2. ARE YOU DEPRESSED?
• If you identify with several of the following signs and symptoms or depression, you
may be living with depression:
• Difficulty concentrating
• Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
• Feeling of hopelessness or helplessness
• Overwhelming and uncontrollable negative thoughts
• Loss of appetite or significant increase in appetite
• Increase in irritability, aggression or anger
• Increase in alcohol consumption and/or reckless behavior
• Thoughts that your life is not worth living
(seek help immediately if this is the case)

3. GENERAL POINTS
• In 2016 there were 44,965 reported suicide deaths.
• Currently, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States.
• A person dies by suicide about every 11.7 minutes in the United States.
• Every day, approximately 123 Americans take their own life.
• There are 3.6 male suicides for every female suicide, but twice as many females as
males attempt suicide.
• Suicide was the second leading cause of death for adults between the ages of 10
and 34 years in the United States.

4. DEPRESSION FACTS
• 25 million Americans suffer from depression each year.
• Over 50 percent of all people who die by suicide suffer from major depression. If
one includes alcoholics who are depressed, this figure rises to over 75 percent.
• Depression affects nearly 5-8 percent of Americans ages 18 and over in a given year.
• More Americans suffer from depression than coronary heart disease, cancer, and
HIV/AIDS.
• Depression is among the most treatable of psychiatric illnesses. Between 80 percent
and 90 percent of people with depression respond positively to treatment, and
almost all patients gain some relief from their symptoms.

5. GENDER DISPARITIES
• Suicide among males is 4x’s higher than among females. Male deaths represent
79% of all US suicides. (CDC)
• Firearms are the most commonly used method of suicide among males (51%).
(CDC)
• Females are more likely than males to have had suicidal thoughts. (CDC)
• Females experience depression at roughly 2x’s the rate of men.(SMH)
• Females attempt suicide 3x’s as often as males. (CDC)
• Poisoning is the most common method of suicide for females. (CDC)

6. AGE DISPARITIES
• 1 in 100,000 children ages 10 to 14 die by suicide each year. (NIMH)
• 7 in 100,000 youth ages 15 to 19 die by suicide each year. (NIMH)
• 12.7 in 100,000 young adults ages 20-24 die by suicide each year. (NIMH)
• The prevalence of suicidal thoughts, suicidal planning and suicide attempts is
significantly higher among adults aged 18-29 than among adults aged 30+. (CDC)
• Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for 15 to 24 year old Americans. (CDC)

7. AGE DISPARITIES
• Suicide is the 4th leading cause of death for adults ages 18-65. (CDC)
• The highest increase in suicide is in males 50+ (30 per 100,000). (CDC)
• Suicide rates for females are highest among those aged 45-54 (9 per 100,000).
(CDC)
• Suicide rates for males are highest among those aged 75+ (36 per 100,000). (CDC)
• Suicide rates among the elderly are highest for those who are divorced or
widowed. (SMH)

8. GLOBAL STATISTICS
• Nearly 800,000 people die by suicide in the world each year, which is roughly one
death every 40 seconds.
• Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death in the world for those aged 15-24 years.
• Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide.

9. SPECIAL RISK CATEGORIES
• Older people who have lost a spouse through death or divorce
• People who have attempted suicide in the past
• People with a family history of suicide
• People with a friend or co-worker who committed suicide
• People with a history of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse
• People who are unmarried, unskilled, or unemployed
• People with long-term pain or a disabling or terminal illness
• People who are prone to violent or impulsive behavior
• People who have recently been released from a psychiatric hospitalization
• People in certain professions, such as police officers and health careproviders who work with
terminally ill patients
• People with substance abuse problems

10. WARNING SIGNS OF SUICIDE
•Excessive sadness or moodiness:
•Hopelessness: .
•Sleep problems.
•Sudden calmness:
•Withdrawal:
•Changes in personality and/or appearance:
•Dangerous or self-harmful behavior:
•Recent trauma or life crisis:
•Making preparations:
•Threatening suicide:

11. WHAT CAN YOU DO?
• Keep your eyes, ears and heart open to people around you.
• Look for the warning signs.
• Look for sudden change in mood, social behavior, sleep patterns etc.
• Don't be afraid to ask if he or she is depressed or thinking about suicide.
• Ask if he or she is seeing a therapist or taking medication.
• Rather than trying to talk the person out of suicide, let him or her know
that depression is temporary and treatable.
• In some cases, the person just needs to know that someone cares and is looking for
the chance to talk about his or her feelings. You can then encourage the person to
seek professional help.

12. LET US BE PROACTIVE
• You probably know someone who might be depressed
• There is often a taboo about seeking medical help
• Be proactive
• Be willing to listen. Maintain confidentiality but seek out help when needed.
• Ask leading questions like “Do you think you might be depressed?”
• Do not be afraid to ask, “Are you thinking of committing suicide?”
• Seek help from authorities if you sense imminent danger
• If you recognize the signs of depression and understand that simple treatment
options can often reverse process, you will be on the look out.
• Seek help when needed.

13. MAY GOD BLESSYOUR EFFORTS!
STOP A SUICIDE!
• Be compassionate
• Be non judgmental
• Remember that you do not need to be an expert to recognize depression
• Be a willing listener
• “Save a life! Save a family!”
• Call 1-800-273-8255. Available 24 hours everyday.