Research Exercise Suicide in the United States

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You must read each slide, and complete any questions on the slide, in sequence.

Research Exercise

Suicide in the United States

Suicide is a major mental health concern that affects thousands of people a year. It has been referred to as a permanent solution to a temporary problem, but many individuals experiencing severe depression and substance use, among other mental health issues, may not see any other solution. Sometimes there are warning signs that an individual may be contemplating suicide; but in many instances, there is no warning, and people lose daughters, sons, wives, husbands, mothers, fathers, and friends. The Surgeon General’s 2012 Report (cited below) provides much information on strategies oriented toward prevention. Between 2001 and 2009, an average of 33,000 suicide deaths occurred each year, which means that over the course of eight years approximately 264,000 loved ones were lost to suicide. Increasing awareness, reducing stigmas, and providing educational resources for people contemplating suicide may help to reduce the number of successful suicides each year.

After reading pages 1–21 of the Surgeon General’s “2012 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention: Goals and Objectives for Action,” consider the questions below. Then submit your responses. For additional information, read the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention.

1 of 5

According to the report, suicide is among the top

causes of death for adults under age 45.

2 of 5

According to the national statistics, we lose one person to suicide every

minutes.

3 of 5

Which of the following is NOT likely be a warning sign that a person is contemplating suicide?

4 of 5

Is suicide exclusively a mental health issue? Why or why not?

One possible answer is that suicide is an overall health concern, not exclusively a mental health issue. It is important for not only mental health professionals to be aware of risk factors and warning signs, but also for educational and health care professionals to be aware of these factors and signs.

5 of 5

Describe why it is important for primary care physicians to be aware of at least one of the highlights of the comprehensive approach to the prevention of suicide.

One possible answer is that it is important for primary care personnel to be familiar with and trained in suicide risk assessment screenings in order to identify individuals who are at high risk for suicide and to intervene appropriately.

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