In 2013, intentional self-harm was the tenth leading cause of death in Tennessee, a ranking that mirrors U.S. and international cause of death rankings. According to data from the Tennessee Department of Health’s Vital Records office, a total of 1,017 people in Tennessee committed suicide that year. Statistics point out disparities in Tennessee’s diverse population and the need to understand suicide warning signs and the actions required to prevent loss of life.
“Suicide is painful, and the pain of this tragic and preventable cause of death not only has obvious impacts to individuals and their families but also to friends, acquaintances and whole communities,” said TDH Commissioner John Dreyzehner, MD, MPH. “A suicide can also have impact through the years on family members who never met the person whose life was ended.”
While the suicides in 2013 reflect an overall rate of 15.7 per 100,000 people in Tennessee, that’s only part of the story. The data shows more men than women and more whites than non-whites take their own lives. The most common profile of a person who commits suicide is a white male between 30 and 64 years of age. The data also shows the rate of suicides fluctuates each year; the 2013 deaths were up from the 15.1 per 100,000 rate in 2009.
“Each of us can get better at spotting warning signs of suicide; it is preventable and as serious as a heart attack,” said Commissioner Dreyzehner. “Take the risk factors seriously and ask, very simply and clearly, ‘Are you suicidal?’ If the answer is ‘yes’, get help, offer hope and alternatives, stay with the person and get assistance from family, friends and most importantly, from professional crisis intervention specialists. For immediate assistance, don’t hesitate to call 911.”
Professional crisis intervention specialists can be reached by calling the Tennessee Toll-Free Statewide Crisis Telephone Line, 1-855-Crisis1, which is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. These services and immediate assistance can also be received by calling 911.
“We know untreated depression is one of the primary causes for suicides,” said Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Commissioner E. Douglas Varney. “It can be hard to recognize the warning signs that a person may attempt to take his or her own life. Additionally, many times people may not know there is help for someone dealing with depression or stress. It’s important to understand you are not alone; there are many individuals and organizations that can provide direction and assistance for you, a friend or family member.”
Common suicide warning signs include feeling hopeless or helpless; being sad or depressed most of the time; experiencing strong anger; talking or writing about death; withdrawing from family and friends; acting impulsively; losing interest in previously enjoyed activities; abusing alcohol and/or drugs; not doing well at work or school; reckless behavior; writing a will; and experiencing a change in eating and/or sleeping habits.
Tennessee’s suicide rate of 15.7 in 2013 compares with 12.6 for the United States that same year. Other suicide rates in Tennessee per 100,000 in 2013 were:
• 30.3 for white males
• 10.1 for black males
• 7.1 for white females
• 1.0 for black females
Suicide rates per 100,000 people for age groups in Tennessee in 2013:
• 1.9 for 10 to 14 years
• 9.5 for 15 to 17 years
• 14.3 for 20 to 24 years
• 14.5 for 25 to 29 years
• 19.5 for 30 to 34 years
• 22.0 for 35 to 44 years
• 22.6 for 45 to 54 years
• 22.4 for 55 to 64 years
• 19.2 for 65 to 74 years
• 20.6 for 75 to 84 years
“Healthcare professionals and counselors can often find a remedy to help people cope effectively with life’s challenges,” Commissioner Dreyzehner said. “Sometimes that involves medicine; sometimes it’s conversation. The important thing is to know there are people who care and are able to help.”
Suicide.org is a non-profit organization and website that maintains a list of additional state and national resources to help those with questions. A list of toll-free telephone numbers for assistance and services in Tennessee may be found at www.suicide.org/hotlines/tennessee-suicide-hotlines.html or by calling 1-800-SUICIDE.