Medical conditions and pain; events such as becoming homeless; having a high stressor such as a loss of a child; addictions; mental disorders; or an underlying biological problem all can lead to suicide or suicidal thoughts.
Over one million people die by suicide every year. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that it is the 13th leading cause of death worldwide and the National Safety Council rates it sixth in the United States. It is a leading cause of death among teenagers and adults under 35. The rate of suicide is far higher in men than in women, with males worldwide three to four times more likely to kill themselves than females. There are an estimated 10 to 20 million non-fatal attempted suicides every year worldwide. (source: Wikipedia with citations)
State Ranking on Suicide Rates (source)
Suicides per 100,000 residents
3.Massachusetts: 6.4
5.Rhode Island: 7.5
7.Connecticut: 8.2
12.New Hampshire: 9.8
If you answer yes to any of these questions, get help immediately:
- Have you recently tried to commit suicide?
- Are you considering suicide, but you do not have a plan?
- Do you have frequent thoughts of suicide?
- Do you think that a friend or family member is considering suicide?
- Are you being treated for depression, but you are not getting better?
Exercise can help.
Physical exercise helps with stress, anxiety, and depression. Exercise releases chemicals that can help counter the effects of stress and depression (runner’s high). You do not have to be in the gym for hours a day or get on your treadmill for long periods. It has been shown that 20 minutes of high intensity training on a treadmill can help with depression. Keeping your workouts short and intense will encourage you to workout frequently because you won’t see it as a chore. An hour to someone with stressors or pain may be too much.
This counters the effects of the stress hormone, releasing chemicals, burning the adrenaline and cortisol, pushing blood to the brain, and returning the body to a relaxed state. Read more here.
Local resources:
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: New England office
Suicide prevention resources in New Hampshire
Maine Youth Suicide Prevention Program
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