Suicide key issues

Recognising Warning Signs: What to look for - Verbal and action clues.

Mental disorders, disadvantageous circumstances and traumatic events that can affect behaviour resulting in suicide.

For descriptions of preventable human life conditions that are taking such a toll on humanity.

For suicide prevention strategies

For suicide prevention organisations

Include good coping skills and problem-solving behaviours, positive beliefs and values. Find out more

The risk of suicide in people with depression is significant. Some people get depressed to the point of suicide. Find out how acessing effective care can reduce the risk of suicide.

In New Zealand, there are conflicting views on how aware we should be about suicide. Read about Canterbury University's Suicide Project emphasis on building awareness of suicide-prevention techniques and work done by other groups.

This complex area is examined by many suicide experts - find out why some studies indicate media prudence and caution is required.

Find out why means restriction is best viewed as one component of a comprehensive suicide prevention strategy.

While some people may talk and act in a suicidal manner to elicit sympathy or manipulate a person or situation, people have died 'accidentally' in such cases. Learn about "P.L.A.I.D." to assess potential risk.

The impact of media coverage of suicide (both fictional and non-fictional) on real suicides rates is one of the most widely debated topics in the search for reasons for increasing suicide rates. This led to the government issuing a booklet, Guidelines for Media Reporting. (suicidesuicidekeyissues5/)
A Review of the Guidelines for Media Reporting can be read here...

Supporting Survivors: Helping those who have experienced the suicidal death of someone close to them.

Practical Support including legal requirements, organising a funeral and finnancial assistance.

The coroner's secretary handles the legal requirements and consults with the next of kin.

Practical Advice on how to organise the funeral

Don't lose hope! You can survive many losses, but lost hope paralyses you.

Read first-hand accounts from people who have tried to commit suicide, parents view of suicide and more...

(suicide.asp) Other issues

You may have questions or things you want to read about suicide that aren't on this page. Why not check our sitemap, or one of the other buttons from the left hand navigation bar: FAQ Resources About Suicide Suicidal?

If you are thinking about killing yourself, please be aware of at least one other potential outcome: You may not die! Many who attempt suicide end up disabled or disfigured.
See also New Zealand Statistics on Attempted Suicide

Ethics of suicide

There is some controversy over whether or not a person has a 'right' to commit suicide. If so, this could cause confusion over whether it is permissible for a third party to intervene to prevent a suicide.

Sexual orientation

Studies indicate that suicide attempts are far more numerous among gay young men. The key factors appear to be relationship problems.

Although there is a strong connection between suicide and mental health, evidence appears to indicate that cultural and family pressures are a significant factor in suicide and suicide attempts.

Because abortion is such a controversial issue and is a legal remedy to an unwanted pregnancy, medical and mental health websites, globally and in New Zealand, typically do not list or mention any link between abortion and suicide. However, a 1997 Finnish study which was government-funded, secular, and based on medical records, revealed a six-fold increased rate of deaths from suicide among aborting women. Teens are generally at higher risk for both suicide and abortion.

The most common methods of suicide are by hanging, vehicle exhaust gas (carbon monoxide), self-poisoning and firearms.

There are fears that if euthanasia and assisted suicide are legalised, depressed people will receive assistance to die rather than medical assistance to overcome depression. Euthanasia advocate Dr Philip Nitschke said that anyone who wants to (even teenagers) has a right to die, if they so wish, and should be assisted to do so painlessly as possible.