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Mental Health Problems/Diagnoses > Adult
Suicide in Adults
How Many Adults Commit Suicide?
Suicide among adults is not uncommon. In fact, recent research has shown that 4% of
Americans have contemplated suicide and 3% of Americans have continuing thoughts of
taking their own lives.
What are Some Warning Signs of Suicidal Behavior?
- Threats of suicide, particularly if the person has a plan
- Verbal statements indicating a wish to die
- Suicidal actions, such as superficially cutting parts of the body or taking a non-lethal overdose of medication
- Sudden cheerfulness after a period of depression
- Putting affairs in order or giving/throwing away favorite possessions
Who is at Increased Risk?
Adults who:
- Are depressed
- Are withdrawn
- Resent the dependence they feel they have on others
- View suicide as a way to control an uncontrollable situation
- Suffer from auditory command hallucinations
- Are impulsive
- Have the means to follow through with a suicide plan
- Have made suicide attempts in the past
- Have a friend/relative who recently committed suicide
What Can be Done to Help?
- Be caring, helpful and supportive.
- Talk about it. Ask the adult about his/her suicidal thoughts. This will not
encourage him/her to become suicidal.
- Seek professional help from those experienced in handling suicidality in adults.
Assist the person in locating a mental health professional either through a clinic or
privately (See How to Find a Therapist.)
- Key relatives/friends need to be alerted to the situation in order to help keep the
person safe.
If there is an immediate danger that a person may harm him/herself, get help now!
Dial 911. Confidences may need to be broken in order to save a life.
The Suicide/Crisis Hotline can be reached at 914-347-6400. This hotline, staffed by
persons in Westchester County, is operated jointly by MHA of Westchester, New York
Hospital and St. Vincent's Hospital, and is for individuals who are feeling at risk of
harming themselves.
Additional Information About Suicide
Mental Health Association of Westchester County
http://www.mhawestchester.org/mhaeducation/suicide120806.asp
This page provides suicide prevention awareness and educational materials.
Center for Disease Control
http://www.cdc.gov/safeusa/suicide.htm
This easy-to-read site provides information and statistics on suicide in the United States
as well as lots of resources.
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)
http://www.dbsalliance.org
This website provides information on the biological causes for depression and coexisting
suicidal feelings as well as therapy techniques to combat depression.
American Association of Suicidology
http://www.suicidology.org
This website provides information on current research and prevention as well as a list of
crisis centers.
Films about suicide and other topics may be borrowed for viewing. To obtain a full list of
available films please check our Film Library.
We maintain a Speakers Bureau available to present on a wide range of topics, including suicide,
at community events. Our presentations provide information about the concerns of daily life as
well as about mental health and mental illness and, when needed, how to find appropriate
assistance.
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