[Matthew Reynolds] Welcome to A Cup of Health with CDC, a weekly broadcast of the MMWR, the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. I’m your host, Matthew Reynolds. Suicide is a difficult topic to discuss, but it’s a subject we need to discuss. Not only has
a life been lost prematurely, but victims can leave survivors with endless questions and lasting pain. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among youth and young adults between the ages of 10 and 24. A recent CDC study looked at trends in suicide among young people. Dr. Keri Lubell, a researcher with CDC’s Injury Center, is here to discuss the study’s findings, as well as identify the warning signs of suicide. Welcome to the show, Dr. Lubell.

[Dr. Lubell] Thank you very much for having me.
[Matthew Reynolds] Dr. Lubell, how many youth and young adults are taking their own lives?

[Dr. Lubell] In 2004, there were almost 4,600 deaths among people age 10 to 24 in the U.S. and that includes both boy and girls. And that number was up sharply from what we saw in 2003.

[Matthew Reynolds] What are the signs of a possible suicide attempt?

[Dr. Lubell] Well, it’s important for parents and teachers and friends to be able to
recognize when someone is struggling. Things like hopelessness, particularly
hopelessness about the future, giving away prized possessions. In particular, one of the things that people should be looking out for is someone talking about suicide, talking about killing themselves, talking about the fact that life would be better if they weren’t here. It’s very important to take that seriously when someone is talking about killing themselves. And, even if they’re not necessarily at immediate risk for suicide, it signifies that somebody is struggling, it signifies that they’re in trouble, and it is an indication that they need help.

[Matthew Reynolds] People may have friends that they suspect may be at risk of
suicide based on the symptoms that you just mentioned and should take action. But we may also have friends or loved ones who may be just eccentric or exhibit typically different behavior. How do you know when it’s appropriate to step in?

[Dr. Lubell] Any time that you think that someone is struggling with something, it’s
never a bad idea to give them some support, let them know that you recognize that they might be having a hard time. I think the difference is with suicide that – first of all you want to look for, you know, marked changes in behavior - sleeping, eating habits, things like that. But in addition, it’s also really important that if you think someone might be thinking about suicide, if you think that or if you’re worried that they might be thinking about suicide, one of the things that you can do is ask them directly. You can sit down, talk with them, let them know that you care, and then you can ask them directly, “Are you thinking about harming yourself.” It’s important to be able to do that; it helps bring suicide out of the darkness, out of the silence, and it makes it easier for people if it’s something that we can talk about.

[Matthew Reynolds] You’ve mentioned steps that people should take if they suspect someone is at risk for suicide. What do you recommend for preventing suicide or for preventing a person from getting to that point where they’re thinking about it in the first place?

[Dr. Lubell] Well there are two things, I think, to keep in mind. The first thing is that clearly, these changes in rates suggest to us that we really need to be thinking about prevention early. We need to be thinking about primary prevention and ways to stop people from becoming suicidal in the first place. And then the second piece is that we Preventing Suicide in Young People Page 3 of 3 November 2007 need to be thinking about suicide prevention in broad terms because of its complex nature. We need to be looking at all of the factors that lead to suicide and to be able to address those issues before they become a suicidal crisis.

[Matthew Reynolds] If parents or teachers are concerned about someone committing suicide, where can they can get more information or get help?
[Dr. Lubell] Two places they can go for more information. They can go to our website at www.cdc.gov/ncipc, that’s the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. Or, they can also call the talk line that’s been established by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and that number is 1-800-273-TALK and that number can provide resources as well as links to local crisis services.

[Matthew Reynolds] Dr. Lubell, thank you for taking the time to talk to us today about this.

[Dr. Lubell] Thank you.