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Suicide

Home > Men's Health Home > Top Health Concerns of Men > Suicide

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Although more women than men attempt suicide, men are four times more likely than women to die by suicide. One reason is that men are more likely to use deadlier means — such as firearms — when they set out to take their own lives.

The reasons some people feel like putting themselves in harm's way or killing themselves are complex. We do know that more than 9 of 10 people who die by suicide have a mental illness, usually depression, a substance abuse disorder, or both. Treating mental illness and substance abuse can lower the risk of suicide. Research also suggests these suicide risk factors for men:

• Age — Suicide in men peaks in the 20s and again in the 60s and 70s.
• Unemployment — The suicide rate has been shown to rise and fall with the unemployment rate.
• Social isolation — Those who kill themselves often live alone and have little contact with others. They may have been recently widowed or have never married.
• Chronic illness — Any chronic illness increases the risk of suicide.
• Certain occupations — People with certain occupations are more likely to die by suicide, for example farmers (who usually work alone, may be unmarried and have access to the means of suicide, such as a shotgun or poisonous weed killer).
• Family history of suicide or violence

Additional Resources

Publications

1.   Depression — This easy-to-use booklet provides an overview of depression, including signs and symptoms, causes, treatment, and where to go for help. It also describes the different ways that women, men, older people, and children and teens experience depression.

   http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/depression.cfm

2.   Men and Depression — This publication discusses the types of depression common in men, symptoms of depression and mania, causes of depression, depression in elderly men, depression in boys and adolescent males, suicide, diagnosis, treatment, and how to find help and support.

   http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/men-and-depression/complete-index.shtml ...

3.   National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Brochure: When It Seems Like There Is No Hope, There Is Help — This brochure explains the warning signs of suicide and how to contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline for help.

   http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/SVP-0141/

4.     Suicide: Facts at a Glance — This fact sheet provides statistics on suicide prevalence in the United States. It looks at the differences among gender, race, and age.

   http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/dvp/Suicide/suicide_data_sheet.pdf

5. Male Depression: Understanding the Issues (Copyright © MFMER) — This Web site can help men recognize the signs and symptoms of depression. It discusses issues behind male depression and gives information on how to cope with it.

   http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/male-depression/MC00041

6.   Suicide in the U.S.A.: Based on Current (2005) Statistics (Copyright © AAS) — This fact sheet provides the most current information and statistics about suicide prevalence in the United States (from 2005 and released in 2008).

   http://www.suicidology.org/c/document_library/get_file?folderId=232&name=DLFE-29.pdf...

7.   Your Head: An Owner's Manual: Understanding and Overcoming Depression, Anxiety, and Stress (Copyright © Men's Health Network) — This manual provides men of all ages, and those who love them, with important and realistic perspectives about mental health along with realistic and practical approaches that can make a difference in their lives.

   http://www.menshealthnetwork.org/library/ownersmanual.pdf

Organizations

1.   National Institute of Mental Health Information Center, NIH
2.   National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
3. American Association of Suicidology
4. Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance

= Indicates Federal Resources

Content last updated June 1, 2009.