Suicide is a serious national and global health problem that cuts across all ages and demographics. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) plans to hold its Out of the Darkness Overnight walk in New York City on June 4th through 5th. An estimated 2,000 people from across the U.S. are expected to participate in the 18-mile walk from sunset to sunrise, to raise money and awareness for suicide prevention.
In the United states specifically, each year close to one million people make a suicide attempt and more than 34,000 die. It is the fourth leading cause of death among adults 18 to 65 and the third leading cause of death among teens and young adults. Military personnel and veterans are also at increased risk. A recent U.S. Army report confirmed a total of 343 suicides among active-duty, Army Reserve and National Guard soldiers in 2010, nearly one suicide per day.
Suicide is a global epidemic as well. In the last 45 years suicide rates have increased by 60% worldwide. Suicide is among the three leading causes of death among those aged 15-44 years in some countries, and the second leading cause of death in the 10-24 years age group; these figures do not include suicide attempts which are up to 20 times more frequent than completed suicide.
Suicide worldwide is estimated to represent 1.8% of the total global burden of disease in 1998, and 2.4% in countries with market and former socialist economies in 2020.
Dr. Paula Clayton, medical director for AFSP explains:
“Suicide is a very complex issue and one that is often surrounded by stigma and misconceptions. It is important for the public to know that more than 90 percent of people who die by suicide have an underlying psychiatric disorder, most often depression, at the time of their death. Early recognition and vigorous treatment of depression are the best ways to prevent suicide.”
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is the leading national not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide through research, education and advocacy as well as to reaching out to people with mental disorders and those impacted by suicide.
Robert Gebbia, executive director for AFSP continues:
“In addition to raising funds and awareness, The Overnight is also about forming a supportive community and advocating that more be done to prevent suicide. The dedication and commitment of thousands of people walking through the night will bring us closer to reaching our goal of making suicide prevention a national priority.”
Another big part of the effort, aside from prevention and awareness, is helping survivors of the tragedy. Many of The Overnight participants walk because they, a friend or family member suffers with a mental disorder, or have lost a loved one to suicide.
Jeannine Suwalski who lost her father to suicide comments:
“This will be my third time participating in The Overnight walk in memory of my dad. Ever since his death I have felt a responsibility to work towards ending the stigma surrounding suicide and mental illness as well as to help others who have been personally affected by suicide.”
Although traditionally suicide rates have been highest among the male elderly, rates among young people have been increasing to such an extent that they are now the group at highest risk in a third of countries, in both developed and developing countries.
Mental disorders (particularly depression and alcohol use disorders) are a major risk factor for suicide in Europe and North America; however, in Asian countries impulsiveness plays an important role. Suicide is complex with psychological, social, biological, cultural and environmental factors involved.
Sources: The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and
Written by Sy Kraft