Suicide is a complex issue that most of us aren't comfortable talking about. However, in order to promote awareness and prevent deaths, suicide is a necessary topic of discussion, especially among men. Women are more likely to attempt suicide, but men are more likely to successfully end their lives. While researchers aren't sure why, recent data shows that the suicide rate for men peaks in their middle age.
Suicide Rates: Men vs. Women
“When we talk about men's suicide, what many people don't realize is that men commit suicide at a rate four times that of women,” says Dr. Dan Bilsker, a psychologist and HealthChoicesFirst.com partner. “They are vastly more likely to commit suicide at all ages than are women. It's something that researchers have known about for a long time, but in fact there's been surprisingly little research to try and understand why men are so much more vulnerable to suicide.”
Risk Factors for Suicide
Some of the risk factors for suicide include:
*Unemployment
*Isolation
*Recent breakup of a relationship
*Loss of a loved one
*Chronic illness
*Mental illness
*Alcohol and drug abuse
Men are often poorer than women at dealing with their feelings. “They've learned to manage psychological distress or emotional suffering by ignoring it, or through increasing their use of alcohol,” says Dr. Bilsker. “They're not likely to open up to friends or family members about their distress and what's going on, and they're not that likely to seek out professional help to deal more effectively.”
See our other video on men's suicide.
Reducing Suicide Risk: Mental Health Resources
If you are having difficulty dealing with emotional issues and having transient or initial suicidal thinking, Dr. Bilsker recommends that you sit down and discuss the problem with your family physician. A doctor can then refer you to a psychologist to help you learn better strategies for managing emotional distress, problem-solving, and reducing suicide risk.
Get more useful resources on men's mental health at the Men's Health Initiative website.