Whites attempt suicide more often than other races
Fact
Suicide is more common among whites in the U.S. than blacks, Asians, or Hispanics.
"No one is quite sure why whites are at a higher risk," says Dr. Valenstein. "It might have to do with differences in social support."
The only group at higher risk is American Indian/Alaskan Natives, who have a suicide rate of 14.3 per 100,000 compared to 13.5 per 100,000 for whites and about 5 to 6 per 100,000 for other groups.
Suicide is more common among whites in the U.S. than blacks, Asians, or Hispanics.
"No one is quite sure why whites are at a higher risk," says Dr. Valenstein. "It might have to do with differences in social support."
The only group at higher risk is American Indian/Alaskan Natives, who have a suicide rate of 14.3 per 100,000 compared to 13.5 per 100,000 for whites and about 5 to 6 per 100,000 for other groups.
Writing style is linked to suicide risk
Fact
Creativity, depression, and suicide have long been linked, so it may come as no surprise that some of history's most creative individuals suffered from a mental illness. Depression affected great minds such as Charles Dickens, John Keats, and Tennessee Williams.
Several famous writers have committed suicide, including Ernest Hemingway, Sylvia Plath, and David Foster Wallace. This group also has something else in common: They all wrote in the first person, which has been suggested to be a sign of suicide risk.
Creativity, depression, and suicide have long been linked, so it may come as no surprise that some of history's most creative individuals suffered from a mental illness. Depression affected great minds such as Charles Dickens, John Keats, and Tennessee Williams.
Several famous writers have committed suicide, including Ernest Hemingway, Sylvia Plath, and David Foster Wallace. This group also has something else in common: They all wrote in the first person, which has been suggested to be a sign of suicide risk.
Depression is always the cause of suicide
Myth
Two of every three people who commit suicide are depressed at the time they take their life. However, alcoholism plays a role in 1 in 3 completed suicides.
Major depression is the psychiatric diagnosis most commonly associated with suicide, with about 20 times the risk found in the general population.
"With much more active screening and treatment, depression carries less of a stigma now, but it remains one of the big risk factors for suicide," says Dr. Valenstein.
Two of every three people who commit suicide are depressed at the time they take their life. However, alcoholism plays a role in 1 in 3 completed suicides.
Major depression is the psychiatric diagnosis most commonly associated with suicide, with about 20 times the risk found in the general population.
"With much more active screening and treatment, depression carries less of a stigma now, but it remains one of the big risk factors for suicide," says Dr. Valenstein.
Your family affects risk
Fact
A family history of depression increases the chances that a child will suffer the same by a factor of 11.
But families (and friends) can also play a significant role in preventing suicide. Strong social support is known to lower suicide risk.
A family history of depression increases the chances that a child will suffer the same by a factor of 11.
But families (and friends) can also play a significant role in preventing suicide. Strong social support is known to lower suicide risk.
Poor countries have higher suicide rates
Myth
In fact, many rich countries have higher suicide rates than developing nations.
Some of the lowest rates can be found in Latin American countries, such as Brazil and the Dominican Republic, while richer countries (based on their GDP per capita), such as Russia, Japan, and France, are among the highest. These nations report numbers between two and three times as high as the U.S.
Approximately 54 of every 100,000 men in Russia, for example, commit suicide every year. (The region's high rates of alcohol consumption may be partly to blame.)
In fact, many rich countries have higher suicide rates than developing nations.
Some of the lowest rates can be found in Latin American countries, such as Brazil and the Dominican Republic, while richer countries (based on their GDP per capita), such as Russia, Japan, and France, are among the highest. These nations report numbers between two and three times as high as the U.S.
Approximately 54 of every 100,000 men in Russia, for example, commit suicide every year. (The region's high rates of alcohol consumption may be partly to blame.)
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