teen tendencies

New Study Suggests

Suicides May Be Contagious

By Joe Ruskey, Advocate BroMenn Medical Center

he Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that suicide is the third leading cause of death among youths between the ages of 10-24. Suicide not only affects the person who took their own life; it has far reaching, devastating effects on those who loved the suicide victim. There is a theory among leading experts, the Suicide Contagion theory, which believes suicide is contagious meaning that when a person commits suicide, other people in that particular community begin to also have suicidal notions. While controversial, new research suggests that suicide not only has an impact on family and friends of the victim, but also anyone who knew of the victim. A nine-year study conducted by the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) found that teenagers who went to school with a person who had committed suicide were more prone to have suicidal thoughts and attempts. The study surveyed 22,000 youths between the ages of 12-17. Teenagers were asked if anyone in their school, or anyone they knew personally, had committed suicide. Teenagers were then asked if they had thought about suicide in the past year. The Journal noticed that even if the teenager did not know the deceased student personally, their risk of thinking about or attempting suicide still increased. Dr. Ryan Patel, a psychiatrist at Advocate BroMenn Medical Center in Normal, notes this study suggests that simply knowing someone in your community who has committed suicide may be so painful that it may lead others to consider that suicide is a viable option for them. Nearly one-fourth of the teens in the 16 to 17-year-old age range knew of a schoolmate who had committed suicide, while 20 percent personally knew a suicide victim. In the 12 to 13-year-old age range, approximately 15 percent of those who knew of someone taking their life reported thinking about suicide themselves, more than four times the number of those who did not know a suicide victim. It was determined that these suicidal thoughts and attempts could remain for at least two years. The CDC confirms the CMAJ studys findings, as they have also found that exposure to suicide is a major risk factor toward the development of suicidal thoughts and tendencies. Other risk factors include family history of suicide and depression, alcohol or drug abuse, a stressful life event or loss, among other reasons. In addition to these findings, the study reported a frightening statistic: 7.5 percent of students who did have a schoolmate commit suicide attempted to do the same. Along with this statistic, the study found that close friends of the suicide victim did not have more suicidal thoughts than other students. While it is common for schools to provide counseling for friends and family of the suicide victim, according to Dr. Patel, This study also highlights the importance of making professional support available not just to families, but also to schools, neighborhoods,
Page 16 Healthy Cells Magazine Bloomington August 2013

church communities, and other extracurricular activities in which the deceased individual may have interacted with others. Dr. Patel says there are several warning signs that should raise concerns that someone is considering suicide. These include: Signs of serious depression Giving away treasured belongings Withdrawal from regular life activities work, household duties, etc. Isolation from loved ones and the rest of the world Fatalistic comments, such as Everything is hopeless References to saying goodbye to people What should a person do if they notice these warning signs in another person? As a friend or acquaintance, your role is to help the person get to a safe environment, says Dr. Patel. That means calling 9-1-1 or taking them to the nearest emergency department, or calling a suicide hotline. R. Ryan Patel, DO, sees patients at Advocate Medical Group Behavioral Health in Normal. Appointments can be made by calling 309-268-2910. For more information about suicide prevention, visit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention website at www.afsp.org. If youre in crisis or are having suicidal thoughts, please call 2-1-1 or 1-800-570-7284 for trained assistance from the PATH Crisis Center.