We are told, 'tis the season to be merry; but, for some, the holiday season is the time to be depressed.
Consequently, I thought this might be a good time to review some information about suicide
prevention and intervention. Many people don't know that there is an intervention component to
suicide prevention, or that they can play a crucial part in saving the life of a friend or loved one. Let's
begin this important discussion with some statistical information.
According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, a woman takes her own life every 90
minutes in the U.S., but it is estimated that one woman attempts suicide every 78 seconds! The AFSP
attributes the high rate of attempted suicide by women to (among other things) an elevated rate of
mood disorders among females, such as major depression and seasonal affective disorder. However,
what is most disturbing about new AFSP statistics is that firearms are now the leading method of
suicide in women. I say most disturbing, because a woman's use of a firearm in her suicide attempt is
more likely to lead to a completed suicide.
Other sobering facts from the AFSP are:
- Suicide is more common among women who are single, recently separated, divorced, or widowed.
- The precipitating life events for women who attempt suicide tend to be interpersonal losses or crises
in significant social or family relationships.
- Many women who suffer from manic-depressive illness (mental illness being a factor in disposition
toward suicide) experience their first episode in the postpartum period.
Additionally, the Suicide Prevention Resource Center lists these disturbing facts from the Centers for
Disease Control, for 1994-2004:
- Suicide ranked as the second leading cause of death for American Indians/Native Alaskans, age 10 to 34.
- Suicide ranked as the eighth leading cause of death for American Indians/Native Americans of all ages.
- Native males, age 15-24, completed suicide at a rate of 27.99 per 100,000, vs. white males at 17.54.
- Furthermore, lack of funding, culturally inappropriate services, and lack of (or high turn-over rate
for) mental health professionals lead Native people to under-utilize or discontinue services. [see site
for original references]
Kira LeCompte, MS, (Yankton Nation) is an American Indian counselor and a Licensed Master
Trainer for the QPR Institute of Spokane, WA. QPR stands for Question, Persuade, Refer.
Ms. LeCompte has published with Dr. Quinnett, the creator of QPR, and she briefly spoke with me about the subject of suicide.
QME: Suicide numbers in Indian Country are extraordinary, next to those of other groups. What factors
contribute to this?
KLeC: Suicide is always multi-determined…it can be so many things. I would speculate
that, based on statistics, historical trauma plays a role. There are also transient factors, such
as gang involvement. We just throw everything we have at it [preventing suicide] because
we never know what might work…it’s not always the same. Different things work at
different times.
QME: Do you personally know of successful interventions done by friends or family members?
KLeC: Sure. If you take the time to sit down and talk to someone who’s suicidal…you may
find out years later [that] you were instrumental in saving their life. When giving
presentations, LeCompte said, she hears those kinds of success stories "quite commonly." She
noted, "It doesn’t take an expert” to successfully re-engage a person who is contemplating
suicide.
QME: What’s the most important message that readers should take away from this piece?
KLeC: Suicide is the most preventable kind of death. Showing genuine care and concern
can save a life.
There are things that you can do to help a friend or a loved one.
Call a national help line, such as 1-800-273-TALK (8255), if anyone you know is threatening to
hurt herself, or is looking for ways to do so by seeking pills and/or firearms; or is talking or writing
about hurting herself. Call for help if your loved one has withdrawn from friends and has increased
her intake of drugs or alcohol, and is experiencing dramatic mood changes. Do not be afraid to ask
your friend if she is thinking of suicide; it's better to have an angry friend than a dead one. If your
friend indicates that she is "too tired to go on," ask her to please wait for you to seek help for her.
Two of the most proven protective measures for Native Americans, according to the Suicide
Prevention Resource Center, are talking with loved ones and connectedness with family. Also
important, it has been found that Native people with a strong tribal spiritual orientation were half as
likely to report a suicide attempt in their lifetimes. So, please, help your friends remain involved in
tribal life - because it's healthy!
In short, be aware; do not be afraid to speak and act. Never take your friends and loved ones for
granted.
Consequently, I thought this might be a good time to review some information about suicide
prevention and intervention. Many people don't know that there is an intervention component to
suicide prevention, or that they can play a crucial part in saving the life of a friend or loved one. Let's
begin this important discussion with some statistical information.
According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, a woman takes her own life every 90
minutes in the U.S., but it is estimated that one woman attempts suicide every 78 seconds! The AFSP
attributes the high rate of attempted suicide by women to (among other things) an elevated rate of
mood disorders among females, such as major depression and seasonal affective disorder. However,
what is most disturbing about new AFSP statistics is that firearms are now the leading method of
suicide in women. I say most disturbing, because a woman's use of a firearm in her suicide attempt is
more likely to lead to a completed suicide.
Other sobering facts from the AFSP are:
- Suicide is more common among women who are single, recently separated, divorced, or widowed.
- The precipitating life events for women who attempt suicide tend to be interpersonal losses or crises
in significant social or family relationships.
- Many women who suffer from manic-depressive illness (mental illness being a factor in disposition
toward suicide) experience their first episode in the postpartum period.
Additionally, the Suicide Prevention Resource Center lists these disturbing facts from the Centers for
Disease Control, for 1994-2004:
- Suicide ranked as the second leading cause of death for American Indians/Native Alaskans, age 10 to 34.
- Suicide ranked as the eighth leading cause of death for American Indians/Native Americans of all ages.
- Native males, age 15-24, completed suicide at a rate of 27.99 per 100,000, vs. white males at 17.54.
- Furthermore, lack of funding, culturally inappropriate services, and lack of (or high turn-over rate
for) mental health professionals lead Native people to under-utilize or discontinue services. [see site
for original references]
Kira LeCompte, MS, (Yankton Nation) is an American Indian counselor and a Licensed Master
Trainer for the QPR Institute of Spokane, WA. QPR stands for Question, Persuade, Refer.
Ms. LeCompte has published with Dr. Quinnett, the creator of QPR, and she briefly spoke with me about the subject of suicide.
QME: Suicide numbers in Indian Country are extraordinary, next to those of other groups. What factors
contribute to this?
KLeC: Suicide is always multi-determined…it can be so many things. I would speculate
that, based on statistics, historical trauma plays a role. There are also transient factors, such
as gang involvement. We just throw everything we have at it [preventing suicide] because
we never know what might work…it’s not always the same. Different things work at
different times.
QME: Do you personally know of successful interventions done by friends or family members?
KLeC: Sure. If you take the time to sit down and talk to someone who’s suicidal…you may
find out years later [that] you were instrumental in saving their life. When giving
presentations, LeCompte said, she hears those kinds of success stories "quite commonly." She
noted, "It doesn’t take an expert” to successfully re-engage a person who is contemplating
suicide.
QME: What’s the most important message that readers should take away from this piece?
KLeC: Suicide is the most preventable kind of death. Showing genuine care and concern
can save a life.
There are things that you can do to help a friend or a loved one.
Call a national help line, such as 1-800-273-TALK (8255), if anyone you know is threatening to
hurt herself, or is looking for ways to do so by seeking pills and/or firearms; or is talking or writing
about hurting herself. Call for help if your loved one has withdrawn from friends and has increased
her intake of drugs or alcohol, and is experiencing dramatic mood changes. Do not be afraid to ask
your friend if she is thinking of suicide; it's better to have an angry friend than a dead one. If your
friend indicates that she is "too tired to go on," ask her to please wait for you to seek help for her.
Two of the most proven protective measures for Native Americans, according to the Suicide
Prevention Resource Center, are talking with loved ones and connectedness with family. Also
important, it has been found that Native people with a strong tribal spiritual orientation were half as
likely to report a suicide attempt in their lifetimes. So, please, help your friends remain involved in
tribal life - because it's healthy!
In short, be aware; do not be afraid to speak and act. Never take your friends and loved ones for
granted.
| QME Interview |
| Copyright © 2012 |
Quiet Mountain Essays
| Talking Suicide Prevention and Intervention |
