Suicide

An In Service Module by
Christopher Skinner
All Rights Reserved
 Aims of Session

At the end of this session the learner will

understand what is suicide, why and how
it occurs and what can be done to prevent
suicide.
 Suicide

Definitions
Suicide is a Mental Health Emergency
Suicide is killing one’s self
Infanticide is killing one’s offspring
Patricide is killing one’s father
Homicide is killing another human
Fratricide is killing one’s sibling
 Causes

Depression and Anxiety

Loss and Grief
Substance Dependence, especially
Alcohol and Amphetamines
Other Mental Illness
Gambling
War, Famine, Poverty, Disaster
Changes in body image
 People

More men than women succeed at suicide

but more women attempt suicide
Affects all age groups but is higher in the
younger and older adults
Affects all ethnic groups but tends to be
highest in Caribbean and Africans and
least in Chinese and Japanese
Higher amongst Dentists, Psychiatrists,
Veterinarians and Farmers
 Methods

Overdose
Carbon Monoxide
Hanging
Gunshots
Cutting Throat
Jumping
Purposeful Car/Train accidents
 Co Morbidity

People often suicide when under the

influence of drugs, including alcohol
Amphetamines, especially Methyl-
amphetamine, (Ice, Shabu, Crystal) are
implicated in many suicides in the 18-30
age group.
 Incarceration

People who are jailed or detained have

higher rates of suicide and suicide
prevention is a major role of Primary
Health Care Staff employed in
Correctional and Detention Facilities
 Artists

Rock stars, Poets, Actors, Painters and

Writers are all known to be prone to
suicide – often there is a co-morbid
substance dependency. Examples are
Keith Moon, Brian Jones, Janice Joplin,
Jimmie Hendrix, Marilyn Monroe,
Vincent Van Goth
 Prevention

Recognition of the person at risk of

suicide, those who are depressed, have
suffered severe loss, including loss of
freedom, or who have severe chemical
dependencies, especially alcohol,
amphetamines and opiates. Some people
with terminal illness or severe intractable
pain.
 Prevention

Mental health Promotion and Education

Alleviation of poverty
Involuntary admission for identified “at
risk” patients
Close observation of new receptions at
correctional and detention facilities and
after sentencing for serious crimes
 Infanticide

Occurs in women with post partum

depression and puerperal psychosis
Child(ren) may need to be removed whilst
mother is ill.
 Treatment

Admission to a Mental Health In-patient

Unit
Management of underlying causes, be
they depression, drug dependence,
gambling – or psychic trauma related to
loss, loss of job, loss of spouse (including
separation and divorce)
Psychiatrist Consultation
 Suicide Risk

In depression, when the person starts

anti-depressants, after the first 7 days the
risk of suicide may be increased as the
person may be more motivated to act on
their ruminatory thoughts of suicide.
 Warning Signs
Person talks about wanting to die, or end
it all – hints they might “go away” on a
long trip
Persons finalising their affairs
Persons who isolate themselves and
change their normal patterns of behaviour
or cut off friendships
Previous History of attempts
Women in violent relationships
 Warning Signs

Adolescent girls who are isolated or have

suffered sexual abuse, especially incest,
Usual method is Paracetamol Overdose
(Panadol, Panamax, Tylenol)
29 x 500mgs tablets of Paracetamol can
be fatal.
QUESTIONS?