Suicide as a Psychiatric Emergency

Accepted insurances:

Anthem Blue Cross, Aetna, and Health Net/MHN.

In our lives, various situations may represent substantial crisis or emergency. Loss of marriage, bankruptcy, terminal illnesses are on the list among the most difficult situations. For many centuries, suicide has been one of the most sorrowful and critical tragedies in human lives. Each year, suicide takes away approximately 30, 000 people in the United States. The number of attempted suicides when death was prevented is 8 to 10 times higher. The total suicide rate has remained fairly constant over the years and is currently 12 per 100,000.

Suicide is ranked as the ninth overall cause of death in this country after heart disease, cancer, cardiovascular disease, COPD, accidents, pneumonia/influenza, diabetes mellitus, and HIV virus. State by state analysis of suicide in the last decade among people between the ages of 15 and 44 revealed that New Jersey has the lowest rate of suicide for both sexes. Nevada, New Mexico and Wyoming had the highest rates. The prime suicide site of the world is the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, with more than 800 suicides since the bridge opened in 1937.

Let’s review step by step factors associated with the risk of suicide.

SEX: Men commit suicide more than 3 times as often as do women. Women, however, are four times more likely to attempt suicide than are men.
AGE: Suicide rates increase with age. Among men, suicides peak after the age of 45. Among women the greatest number of completed suicides occur after the age of 55. Rate of 40 per 100,000 population occur in men ages 65 and older. Older people are less often attempting suicide than younger people. However, they are more successful completing it. Suicide is the third leading cause of death in the 15 to 24 year old age group, after accidents and homicides.
RACE: Two of every three suicides are white males. Among young people who live in inner cities, and certain Native Americans and Inuit groups, suicide rates have exceeded the national rate. Suicide rates among immigrants are higher than in the native born population.
MARITAL STATUS: Marriage reinforced by children seems to significantly diminish the risk of suicide. Among married people, the suicide rate is 10-11 per 100, 000.
OCCUPATION: Employment in general protects against suicide. Among occupational rankings, professionals including physicians have traditionally been considered to be at the greatest risk for suicide. The higher a person’s social status, the greater the risk of suicide. But a fall in social status also increases the risk.
CLIMATE: No seasonal correlation with suicide has been found. Suicides increase slightly in spring and fall, but contrary to popular belief, not during December and holiday periods. I personally see some challenges of the holiday season for people with limited family support and interaction. However, it is still my belief that the holiday season is the best part of the year.

The different risk factors described in this article are based on a substantial amount of statistical information. These factors though should not be utilized alone in suicide risk assessment. Taking into consideration the individual characteristics of a person gives a comprehensive approach to this issue. Most of the time, mental health professionals assess suicide risk. You may contact Dr. Michelson’s office at (949) 462-9114 to discuss your concerns or questions.

The majority of suicide committers tend to suffer from depressive disorders and substance abuse. By reducing the rate of depression and substance abuse in the community we decrease the incidence of suicide and subsequently frustration, guilt and despair among surviving friends, family and significant others.

Alex D. Michelson, M.D.

Clinical Psychiatry

Offices in South Orange County