Men's Health

Suicide

Men's Health Home > Top 10 Health Concerns of Men > Suicide

While more women suffer from depression, researchers are beginning to understand that men may not be recognizing that they are depressed, and are not seeking treatment as often as women. If left untreated, depression can lead to personal, family and financial difficulties, and, in some cases, suicide.

Men commit suicide four times as often as women do, partly because they're more likely to use deadlier means — such as firearms — when they set out to take their own lives. Research suggests several 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).

If you are depressed or having suicidal thoughts, get help from a mental health professional or call 911.

Additional Information on Suicide:

Publications

1.   Depression - This booklet provides user friendly information for the individual who may suffer from depression. It compares depression in women versus men, describes the symptoms of depression and offers information on methods of treatment.

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

2.   Men and Depression - This publication, part of the National Institute of Mental Health's Real Men - Real Depression campaign, 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 for men with depression.

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

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.   Older Adults: Depression and Suicide Facts - This fact sheet provides a brief overview of the statistics on depression and suicide in older adults, with information on depression treatments and suicide prevention.

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

5.   Suicide in the U.S.A.: Based on Current (2004) Statistics (Copyright © AAS) - This fact sheet contains information and statistics about suicide prevalence in the United States in the year 2004.

   http://www.suicidology.org/associations/1045/files/SuicideInTheUS.pdf

Organizations

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

= Indicates Federal Resources

Current as of June 2007