but the whole month of September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Did you know that suicide is the second-leading cause of death for residents—and the leading cause for male residents according to a July 2017 paper in Academic Medicine. Be sure to talk to a health care professional if you experience any of the following risk factors.
Risk Factors For Suicide
Research has found that about 90% of individuals who die by suicide experience mental illness. A number of other things may put a person at risk of suicide, including:
- A family history of suicide.
- Substance abuse. Drugs and alcohol can result in mental highs and lows that exacerbate suicidal thoughts.
- Intoxication. More than one in three people who die from suicide are found to be currently under the influence.
- Access to firearms.
- A serious or chronic medical illness.
- Gender. Although more women than men attempt suicide, men are four times more likely to die by suicide.
- A history of trauma or abuse.
- Prolonged stress.
- Isolation.
- Age. People under age 24 or above age 65 are at a higher risk for suicide.
- A recent tragedy or loss.
- Agitation and sleep deprivation.
(Derived from National Alliance of Mental Illness)
Recommended Reading from the National Academy of Medicine:
Breaking the Culture of Silence of Physician Suicide
100 Days of Rain: A Reflection on the Limits of Physician Resilience
Breaking A Culture of Silence: The Role of State Medical Boards
Recommended from the Library Catalog.
Empathy Reading: 9 of the Best Novels About Suicide, from Signature Reads
NYMC Event: Medical Student Mental Health: Challenges and Opportunities, Monday, September 18, 2017, 5 – 6PM