Depression and Suicide Facts 3

Most suicide attempts fail

Fact

Fortunately, only 1 in every 10 to 25 attempts actually results in death, according to Dr. Valenstein.

To further lower that rate, Dr. Valenstein suggests "taking away the means."

"Make sure people you're concerned about don't have stockpiles of meds or access to guns," she says. "You want to make it difficult for them to enact a persistent suicidal thought."

Suicide is more common than in the past

Myth

Suicide rates in the U.S. have remained relatively constant over the past several decades, and may even have slightly decreased.

Still, youth between the ages of 15 and 24 are more than twice as likely to commit suicide today compared to 50 years ago. And, worldwide, suicide rates have increased by about 60% in the last 45 years, according to the World Health Organization.

Treatment cuts suicide risk

Fact

"There are not a lot of ways to prevent suicide at this point," says Dr. Valenstein. "But successful treatment of any underlying psychiatric disorder is very important and can reduce suicidal thoughts, particularly among older people."

She adds that a popular concern that antidepressants can actually raise the risk of suicide among patients under the age of 25 is most relevant during the first few weeks of therapy.

"If you successfully treat depression," notes Dr. Valenstein, "suicidal ideation declines."

Suicides can trigger "copy cat" attempts

Fact

Exposure to others who have committed suicide may "reduce some of the barriers to people thinking of doing it," says Dr. Valenstein.

She points out that this link has helped write new rules for responsible journalistic reporting. For example, journalists now typically refrain from going into detail or sensationalizing death from suicide.

"They usually finish up any story with a reference to a hotline so that distressed people reading it will reach out for help rather than being tempted to emulate," Dr. Valenstein adds.