Drug Related Suicides - Up for Men!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAjwWBm0uT8-xCisBaqbwZFZC8FFXVhwU9zTUyA-BoCZXqbWi92BSnK-adYe-w94t0cq2Wi-SRRlQRL6AoYYbuA62i-hRm9eP7tdoGlWRrOyNg55CNJXxcqD_RT99IQcTws5qf51NaBCod/s1600/teen+drug+addict.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" /></a></div>A recent study was released that showed a 55% increase in emergency room visits for drug-related suicide attempts for men aged 21-34 from 2005-2009.  The study was conducted by the Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA).  <br /><br /><div></div>The study found that in 2005 there were 19,024 ER visits for drug-related suicide attempts among men 21 to 34. The number jumped to 29,407 visits in 2009. <br /><br />Antidepressants increased over 155% among men aged 21 to 34, while suicide attempts involving anti-anxiety and insomnia medications increased by 93.4%.  In addition ER visits for suicide attempts among males 35 to 49 that involved narcotic pain relievers nearly doubled from 2005 to 2009 and these numbers almost tripled among men aged 50 and older.<br /><br />In the last several years there have been several high-profile deaths in the media where the cause of death or injury is an accidental overdose, suicide attempt, or suicide, which at times may blur the lines between the two.<br /><br />The growing problem of prescription drug abuse of painkillers, anti-depressants, anti-anxiety drugs and sleep aids. Because of the pervasiveness of the abuse the need for due diligence is imperative. According to Dr. Peter J. Delaney, the Director from SAMSHA who oversaw the study said that, "These drugs are effective, important treatments for pain, insomnia, and or depression, so we don't want to throw the baby out with bath water." Delaney said, "But we need to restrict access to prescription drugs, and keep them in safe, restricted places in homes." The latter helps prevent the medications from falling into the wrong hands. <br /><br />Suicide warning signs in teens or adults who may be considering suicide: <br /><ul><li>change in eating and sleeping habits </li><li>withdrawal from friends, family, and regular activities </li><li>violent or rebellious behavior, running away </li><li>drug and alcohol use </li><li>unusual neglect of personal appearance </li><li>persistent boredom, difficulty concentrating, or a decline in the quality of schoolwork </li><li>frequent complaints about physical symptoms, often related to emotions, such as stomachaches, headaches, fatigue, etc. </li><li>not tolerating praise or rewards </li></ul><br /><div> Be alert to suicide warning signs such as those detailed above. If you see these signs, try to get the person help and if you believe them to be a danger to themselves, call 9-1-1. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 800-273-TALK.</div>

Drug Related Suicides - Up for Men!

A recent study was released that showed a 55% increase in emergency room visits for drug-related suicide attempts for men aged 21-34 from 20...

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Teens Suicide: On the Rise!

Teen years are very tumultuous times for both the teens and parents alike. Being aware of the differences between depression and normal teenager behavior before a tragic outcome occurs is what every parent wants. <br /><br /><br /><div> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3_bJock7fzeIXTQWXCAw5iWmo-fLMnPfoXJJYPIYH5g6LJCU3g-yygUI8xyPkiaEUF1XS49AXPqXhWPcMv2h4cLwynjRZoE1nlcXlUlr8U1bm2yFDOSwSqxiy8I2kfxIMecWn3NlK5U1e/s1600/teen+suicide1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="92" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3_bJock7fzeIXTQWXCAw5iWmo-fLMnPfoXJJYPIYH5g6LJCU3g-yygUI8xyPkiaEUF1XS49AXPqXhWPcMv2h4cLwynjRZoE1nlcXlUlr8U1bm2yFDOSwSqxiy8I2kfxIMecWn3NlK5U1e/s200/teen+suicide1.jpg" width="200" /></a>Teen suicides were on a decline in the 1990’s, but about five years ago the suicide rate began to rise. A report in the March 2, 2010 edition of the Kansas City Star reported that there is “no one can explain with certainty the reason for the increase, expert’s points to teens having more pressures at home and at school, financial worries for families and the increase of alcohol and drug use.”</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Every 100 minutes a teen commits suicide in the United States, which means that on average 14 teens commit suicide every day. How prevalent is it really? One of the leading causes of death amongst teenagers is suicide. The Centers for Disease control report that it is the third leading cause of death, behind accidents and homicide, of people aged 15 to 24. Even more disturbing is the fact that suicide is the fourth leading cause of death for children between the ages of 10 and 14. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">What is rarely reported is that there is what is called a “ripple effect”, according to Dr. Fred Newton, the director of counseling services at Kansas State University. The “ripple effect means that one suicide affects at least six other people. That means the effect without counseling can be felt for years afterwards.</div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Causes of teen suicide </strong></div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQdhTyL7zW_kmNjYLjIJ31Q4QtbPPE6ITplB2UZp1WYgAcCJV9llr7SzHfdYyYYEZKQ-8GYm4kT1mf1c7fZrEr_Tgj_Sfn4L8TfYUWAYxrgZM13XZEyoMx5fjiaFMwSlN6Fmwwr8fHKg1z/s1600/teen+suicide2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="139" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQdhTyL7zW_kmNjYLjIJ31Q4QtbPPE6ITplB2UZp1WYgAcCJV9llr7SzHfdYyYYEZKQ-8GYm4kT1mf1c7fZrEr_Tgj_Sfn4L8TfYUWAYxrgZM13XZEyoMx5fjiaFMwSlN6Fmwwr8fHKg1z/s200/teen+suicide2.jpg" width="200" /></a> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">There are several different factors that made lead a teenager to take his or her life, but the most common is depression. Feelings of hopelessness and anxiety, along with feelings of being trapped in a life that one can't handle, are very real contributors to teen suicide. In some cases, teenagers believe that suicide is the only way to solve their problems. The pressures of life seem too much to cope with, and some teenagers look at suicide as a welcome escape. </div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Other factors that may contribute to teen suicide include:  </div><ul><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Divorce of parents. </li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Violence in the home. </li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Inability to find success at school. </li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Feelings of worthlessness. </li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Rejection by friends or peers. </li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Substance abuse. </li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Death of someone close to the teenager. </li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The suicide of a friend or someone he or she "knows" online. </li></ul><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Signs that your teenager may attempt suicide </strong></div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It is important to be on the look out for signs that your teen may attempt suicide. What is so difficult about some of these warning signs of teen suicide is that some of them are similar to normal adolescent behavior. The teenage years are a trying time, and sometimes normal behavior looks a lot like possibly destructive behavior. But it doesn't hurt to look into the following warning signs of teen suicide: </div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><ul><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Talks about death and/or suicide (maybe even with a joking manner). </li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Plans ways to kill him or herself. </li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Expresses worries that nobody cares about him or her. </li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Has attempted suicide in the past. </li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Dramatic changes in personality and behavior.</li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Withdraws from interacting with friends and family. </li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Shows signs of depression. </li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Shows signs of a substance abuse problem. </li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Begins to act recklessly and engage in risk-taking behaviors. </li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Begins to give away sentimental possessions. </li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Spends time online interacting with people who glamorize suicide and maybe even form suicide pacts. </li></ul><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Preventing teen suicide </strong> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Often, preventing teen suicide means treating teen depression. Since 75 % of the people who commit suicide are depressed (according to the University of Texas), it is a good start to begin by treating the symptoms of teen depression. </div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">  </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxFZzt0jB9EU5zwJCGl-Y6N_93IRcH30XRy3uI7Lqvv1_ODbvALslNZ4EaNovDf2cgiuI1BHutGKS8IoTSX2y2p9nbzrSRQ-61tM9drlfOL_cRqyd3vEHmXlHZTOoHVEvMLGYShqNAw47-/s1600/teen+suicide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxFZzt0jB9EU5zwJCGl-Y6N_93IRcH30XRy3uI7Lqvv1_ODbvALslNZ4EaNovDf2cgiuI1BHutGKS8IoTSX2y2p9nbzrSRQ-61tM9drlfOL_cRqyd3vEHmXlHZTOoHVEvMLGYShqNAw47-/s200/teen+suicide.jpg" width="200" /></a>It is possible to get professional help in preventing teen suicide. Indeed, this is a preferred option. If you are concerned about your teenager, talk to your child's doctor about the available options and therapies for teen depression. You should see someone immediately (and never leave your teen alone) if you suspect that a suicide attempt is imminent. Some things you might try include: </div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">  <br /><u>Counseling.</u> This can be done individually or as a family. Techniques allow your teenager to learn to cope with life. Often, when a teen learns how to handle problems (and families learn how to help), the desire to kill him or herself dissipates. </div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">  <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><u>Residential treatment.</u> This is treatment in which a suicidal teen goes elsewhere to live for a time. This can be a special treatment facility, or it can be a therapeutic boarding school. In these settings, the teenager is monitored 24/7 in order to prevent a suicide attempt. Additionally, most residential treatment facilities have trained professional staff that can help a suicidal teen. </div></div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">  <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><u>Medication.</u> This is often seen as a last resort, or as something complementary to other treatments. It is important to note that in some teenagers, medication can have the opposite effect desired; some studies show that for some teens anti-depressants actually increase the chance of teen suicide. Carefully consider your teen's needs before medicating. </div></div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><br /><div>  </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It is important to treat your child with respect and understanding. Show your unconditional love, and offer emotional support. It is important that a teen considering suicide feel loved and wanted. Show your teenager that it is possible to overcome life's challenges, and make sure that he or she knows that you are willing to help out. </div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div>

Teens Suicide: On the Rise!

Teen years are very tumultuous times for both the teens and parents alike. Being aware of the differences between depression and normal teen...

Read more »