Suicide: A life and death problem with no easy solution

Monday, September 10th is Suicide Prevention Day

Dr. Isaac Sakinofsky, Head of the High Risk Consultation Clinic at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)

For Immediate Release – September 6, 2007 (TORONTO) – Suicide is literally a matter of life and death, and yet it remains a taboo subject that is rarely talked about. Suicide Prevention Day was created to raise awareness, encourage discussion and ultimately prevent more of the estimated 4,000 suicide deaths a year that take place in Canada.

The theme this year is Suicide Prevention Across the Life Span, emphasizing that suicidality can affect anyone at any age. Research has shown that these days suicide rates peak dramatically in males in the 19 to 34 year old age group, but remain a concern for those over the age of 65. In women the danger period is during middle age. However, no age-group is exempt in either sex.

Whereas suicide attempts, particularly in adolescence and early adulthood, are more prevalent in women, men are at higher risk of suicide than their female contemporaries and comprise three-quarters of suicide deaths in Canada. As with younger ages, mental illness, namely depression, is the cause of most suicides in older people.

Who are these people who die by suicide? Nearly 90 percent are individuals with a mental disorder of some kind. Having schizophrenia, for instance, is associated with a high rate of suicide. One of the more tragic facets of suicide is that some 83 percent of individuals have had contact with a medical practitioner within the year prior to succeeding in ending their own lives; more than 60 percent have had contact within the month.

“All our evidence points to the fact that no magic cure can take the place of excellent medical care that takes account of the particular needs of the suicidal patient,” says Dr. Isaac Sakinofsky, Head of the High Risk Consultation Clinic at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and an internationally recognized author on suicide.

The good news is that Canadian statistics indicate that in recent years, suicide rates overall, including among youth, have decreased. Yet, as a preventable cause of death, it is a topic that should be addressed in schools, workplaces and by families. While psychotherapy and medications are effective in the treatment of mental illness contributing to youth suicide, prevention -- such as promoting help-seeking behaviour and training teachers -- have also shown promise.

There is a need to diminish the stigmatization of depression and suicidality, particularly among men, because it acts as a barrier to help-seeking and puts the male gender more at risk for suicide.

With so many of those who attempt suicide facing major mental illness, the need to decrease the myths and isolating stigma still associated with these illnesses is crucial, according to Dr. David Goldbloom, CAMH’s Senior Medical Advisor, Education and Public Affairs.“Most people who die by suicide succumb after losing a courageous battle with depression. But we don’t hear those stories. If you’re run over by a bus, everyone is certainly sympathetic. But if you throw yourself in front of a bus ….”

Dr. Goldbloom echoes Dr. Sakinofsky’s emphasis on the importance of clinical care for suicidal patients. “Fear of mental illness still comes from the myth many people have that it’s untreatable. Available treatments for depression, for example, probably have better outcomes than those for high blood pressure.”

Losing someone to suicide is more common than expected. One survey showed that 7% of respondents had experienced a loss due to suicide during the previous year.

“The taboo surrounding suicide can complicate bereavement,” according to Dr. Sakinofsky. “Individuals may experience unique reactions such as shame, self-blame, and a perpetual search for meaning. Beginning this Suicide Prevention Day, we as a society must start talking about suicide more openly.”

Former Burlington mayor, Walter Mulkewich, who lost his wife to suicide in 1998, has made a point of speaking out. “My wife’s death has had a life-changing impact on myself, our children and grandchildren, as well as other family and friends,” he said. As a member of the Halton Suicide Prevention Coalition, Walter currently helps other survivors of suicide cope with the loss of their loved ones. He is sure that “Increasing communication and understanding about suicide can save lives.”

For more information or to arrange interviews please contact Michael Torres, Media Relations, CAMH at (416) 595-6015.

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The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is Canada’s leading addiction and mental health teaching hospital. Integrating clinical care, scientific research, education, policy development and health promotion, CAMH transforms the lives of people impacted by mental health and addiction issues.

Suicide: A life and death problem with no easy solution

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