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Fact: Mental health issues can affect anyone. In 2020, about:

One in 5 American adults experienced a mental health condition in a given year

One in 6 young people have experienced a major depressive episode

One in 20 Americans have lived with a serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression

Additionally, suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States. In fact, it was the second leading cause of death for people ages 10-24. Suicide has accounted for the loss of more than 45,979 American lives in 2020, nearly double the number of lives lost to homicide.

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Can you tell the difference between a mental health myth and fact? Learn the truth about the most common mental health myths and information to help destigmatize them.

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Suicide is not a mental illness in itself, but a serious potential consequence of treatable mental disorders that include major depression, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, borderline personality disorder, schizophrenia, substance use disorders, and anxiety disorders like bulimia and anorexia nervosa.

Suicide Warning Signs

Any of the following could be potential warning signs for suicide:

Excessive sadness or moodiness: Long-lasting sadness, mood swings, and unexpected rage.

Hopelessness: Feeling a deep sense of hopelessness about the future, with little expectation that circumstances can improve.

Sleep problems.

Sudden calmness: Suddenly becoming calm after a period of depression or moodiness can be a sign that the person has made a decision to end his or her life.

Withdrawal: Choosing to be alone and avoiding friends or social activities also are possible symptoms of depression, a leading cause of suicide. This includes the loss of interest or pleasure in activities the person previously enjoyed.

Changes in personality and/or appearance: A person who is considering suicide might exhibit a change in attitude or behavior, such as speaking or moving with unusual speed or slowness. In addition, the person might suddenly become less concerned about his or her personal appearance.

Dangerous or self-harmful behavior: Potentially dangerous behavior, such as reckless driving, engaging in unsafe sex, and increased use of drugs and/or alcohol might indicate that the person no longer values his or her life.

Recent trauma or life crisis: A major life crises might trigger a suicide attempt. Crises include the death of a loved one or pet, divorce or break-up of a relationship, diagnosis of a major illness, loss of a job, or serious financial problems.

Making preparations: Often, a person considering suicide will begin to put his or her personal business in order. This might include visiting friends and family members, giving away personal possessions, making a will, and cleaning up his or her room or home. Some people will write a note before committing suicide. Some will buy a firearm or other means like poison.

Threatening suicide: From 50% to 75% of those considering suicide will give someone -- a friend or relative -- a warning sign. However, not everyone who is considering suicide will say so, and not everyone who threatens suicide will follow through with it. Every threat of suicide should be taken seriously.

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Who Is Most Likely to Commit Suicide?

Suicide rates are highest in teens, young adults, and the elderly. White men over the age of 65 have the highest rate of suicide. Suicide risk also is higher in the following groups:

Older people who have lost a spouse through death or divorce

People who have attempted suicide in the past

People with a family history of suicide

People with a friend or co-worker who committed suicide

People with a history of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse

People who are unmarried, unskilled, or unemployed

People with long-term pain or a disabling or terminal illness

People who are prone to violent or impulsive behavior

People who have recently been released from a psychiatric hospitalization (This often is a very frightening period of transition.)

People in certain professions, such as police officers and health care providers who work with terminally ill patients

People with substance abuse problems

Although women are three times as likely to attempt suicide, men are far more likely to complete the act.

Can Suicide Be Prevented?

Suicide can't be prevented with certainty, but risks can often be reduced with timely intervention. Research suggests that the best way to prevent suicide is to know the risk factors, be alert to the signs of depression and other mental disorders, recognize the warning signs for suicide, and intervene before the person can complete the process of self-destruction.

What Should I Do if I Think Someone is Suicidal?

People who receive support from caring friends and family and who have access to mental health services are less likely to act on their suicidal impulses than are those who are socially isolated. If someone you know is exhibiting warning signs for suicide:

Don't be afraid to ask if he or she is depressed or thinking about suicide.

Ask if he or she is seeing a therapist or taking medication.

Rather than trying to talk the person out of suicide, let him or her know that depression is temporary and treatable.

In some cases, the person just needs to know that someone cares and is looking for the chance to talk about his or her feelings. You can then encourage the person to seek professional help.

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What Should I Do if I See the Warning Signs of Suicide?

If you believe someone you know is in immediate danger of killing himself or herself:

Do not leave the person alone. If possible, ask for help from friends or other family members.

Ask the person to give you any weapons he or she might have. Take away or remove sharp objects or anything else that the person could use to hurt himself or herself.

If the person is already in psychiatric treatment, help him or her to contact the doctor or therapist for guidance and help.

Try to keep the person as calm as possible.

Call 911 or take the person to an emergency room.

Learn more about depression and childhood depression.

Sources

SOURCE:

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

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Suicide is not a mental illness in itself, but a serious potential consequence of treatable mental disorders that include major depression, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, borderline personality disorder, schizophrenia, substance use disorders, and anxiety disorders like bulimia and anorexia nervosa.

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Getting a diagnosis is only the first step towards recovery from an eating disorder. Treating an eating disorder generally involves a combination of psychological and nutritional counseling, along with medical and psychiatric monitoring. Treatment must address the eating disorder symptoms and medical consequences, as well as psychological, biological, interpersonal, and cultural forces that contribute to or maintain the eating disorder.

Nutritional counseling is also necessary and should incorporate education about nutritional needs, as well as planning for and monitoring rational choices by the individual patient. There are a variety of treatments that have been shown to be effective in treating eating disorders. Generally, treatment is more effective before the disorder becomes chronic, but even people with long-standing eating disorders can and do recover.

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Getting a diagnosis is only the first step towards recovery from an eating disorder. Treating an eating disorder generally involves a combination of psychological and nutritional counseling, along with medical and psychiatric monitoring. Treatment must address the eating disorder symptoms and medical consequences, as well as psychological, biological, interpersonal, and cultural forces that contribute to or maintain the eating disorder.

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Call 1-800-273-8255

Available 24 hours everyday

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Hidden Signs of Borderline Personality Disorder

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People Who Live With Borderline Personality Disorder

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9 Tips on How to Recognize Someone with Borderline Personality Disorder

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Here a few notes on some characteristics of people with Borderline Personality Disorder

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physical factors, Heredity, Early experiences, and recent experiences.