divorce and suicide

site:
http://www.divorceinfo.com/suicide.htm#EffectOfDivorce

One recent study by the National Institute for Healthcare Research in Rockville, MD indicates that divorced people are three times as likely to commit suicide as people who are married. The Institute says that divorce now ranks as the number one factor linked with suicide rates in major U.S. cities, ranking above all other physical, financial, and psychological factors.
A study of 13 European countries by the regional European office of the World Health Organization found that divorce was the only factor linked with suicide in every one of the 13 countries. The study showed that factors like poverty, unemployment, and disability were associated with divorce in some of the countries but that disruption of the family was the only factor linked with divorce in all 13.

Anecdotally, the coroner of Butler County, Ohio told UPI in the late 80's that he thought the high rate of suicide in that area was traceable to men's inability to cope with divorce. Dr. Richard Burkhardt said he thought women were more likely to feel needed after divorce because they needed to take care of children. But men, he said, felt cut off from their role as head of the household and felt they had no reason to live.
Statistically, women are more likely to attempt suicide, but men are more likely to succeed. Suicide is more likely among men over age 65, among young people, among disabled people, and among people in lower socio-economic groups.

WARNING SIGNS:

The most important and most alarming sign of suicide is in the words people use. Here are some of the statements people might make or joke about as they contemplate suicide:
"I think it's time to end it all."
"I think I may just check out,"
"I don't think I can take this any more."
"Life isn't worthwhile" or "Life isn't worth living anymore."
"Life stinks and I'm tired of it."
"I sometimes just want to die."
And sometimes the statements are less direct:
"Sometimes I just want to sleep forever."
"They'll be sorry when I'm gone."
"I'm so worthless."
"I think the pain will be over soon."
"Life is more complicated for everybody because of me."
People are at greater risk to commit suicide if they have a close friend or family member who has committed suicide. They are at far greater risk to commit suicide if they have tried to do it before.


divorce, suicide