How can you recognize and prevent suicide?

With the recent spate of celebrity suicides — fashion designer Kate Spade and chef Anthony Bourdain — and the recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that suicide rates in the United States have risen sharply over the past 20 years (half of all states saw a more than 30 per cent rise), it’s a good time to ask ourselves if there’s a better way to recognize symptoms and do something before it’s too late.

Dr. Oz had Dr. John Draper, psychologist and director of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, on his show discussing the alarming fact that today one in six school-age children and teens indicate that they are seriously thinking about suicide; one in 13 will attempt it. The highest rate of increase in children was among adolescent girls. Overall, it’s the second leading cause of death among kids (behind accidents), and it’s preventable.

Suicidal behaviour is not always easy to diagnose and predict, but there are certain signs to look out for.

Signs of suicide risk among adolescents

• Lasting depression is one of the most common causes of adolescent suicide. Signs include decreased or increased appetite, lack of interest in things once enjoyable, too much or too little sleep and mood swings.

• Anxiety disorders like anorexia and post-traumatic stress, as well as substance abuse, are behaviours that may signal suicide risk.

• Other mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder need to be diagnosed and treated with talk therapy and medications in order to avoid the risk of suicide.

• Also anyone with a family history of suicide is at heightened risk.

• If a youth talks about suicide, that’s a huge warning sign. However if they talk about getting help for those feelings, that’s a good sign.

Unfortunately, funding of research into prevention programs for children by the National Institute for Mental Health is down 42 per cent since 2005.

Adults who take their own lives

The highest rate of suicide increase in adults was among men 40 to 64 years old, although women are catching up. Out-ofpocket therapy can cost hundreds of dollars per session, and since only 55 per cent of psychiatrists accept insurance, therapy can get very expensive, very quickly. A recent Princeton study confirmed the CDC findings that the top causes of adult suicides are failing relationships, health issues, and job and financial security. That makes long-term, pay-for-it-yourself therapy an unlikely option for many.

Improved diagnosis and treatment options are essential

The CDC also states that 54 per cent of people who committed suicide were not known to have a mental health condition. However, according to Dr. Jeffrey Lieberman, chair of the Department of Psychiatry at Columbia University, 90 per cent of those who commit suicide had previous mental health issues; they were simply undiagnosed.

In addition, the CDC says there aren’t any federally funded suicide prevention programs for adults, and insurance coverage for behavioural health care often is outof-network. As Dr. John Mann, another psychiatrist at Columbia University, points out, since the 2008 recession, states were forced to cut over US$4 billion in public mental health funding. The latest budget out of Washington would slash the one source of public funding for mental health treatment that’s available to 70 million low-income and disabled Americans: Medicaid.

Gun control Research shows that the decision to attempt suicide often is made quickly and impulsively, and guns are by far the victim’s first choice. Stricter background checks and a longer waiting period for gun purchases could help prevent such acts.

What you can do

There is always something you can try to help someone in need or yourself. Go online to BeThe1to.com. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The Suicide Prevention Resource Center lists state-by-state resources at www.sprc.org/states.

Offer help. Reach out for help. Write your representatives, insisting on more funding for mental health nationally and locally.

Mehmet Oz, M.D. is host of “The Dr. Oz Show,” and Mike Roizen, M.D. is Chief Wellness Officer and Chair of Wellness Institute at Cleveland Clinic. To live your healthiest, tune in to “The Dr. Oz Show” or visit www.sharecare.com.