Frequency Asked Questions

Are suicides more frequent around the holidays? 
Suicides are not more frequent during the holidays. Research has shown that the rates are the highest in April, and the summer months, June and July.

What is the biggest cause of suicide among college students?
Ninety-five percent are suffering from mental illness, usually depression. If depressed; substance abuse, anxiety, impulsivity, rage, hopelessness and desperation increase the risk.

Do people who talk about suicide just trying to get attention?
People who die by suicide usually talk about it first. They are in pain and are reaching out for help because they do not know what to do and have lost hope. Always take talk about suicide seriously.

Once someone has made up their mind to complete suicide, is there anything that can be done to stop them?
Suicide can be prevented. Most people who are suicidal do not want to die; they just want to stop their pain. 

What are some U.S. statistics?
  • According to the Lee County Medical Examiner’s office:
                           2009 stats for Lee County: 106 suicides, ages 12-92
                           2010 stats for Lee County: 119 suicides, ages 13-97
                           2011 stats for Lee County: 121 suicides, ages 19-87
  • In 2010,  2,753 Floridians died by suicide. Suicide is the 9th leading cause of death in Florida. (Source: Florida Vital Statistics Annual Reports)
  • The latest data available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that 36,909 suicide deaths were reported in the U.S. in 2009. This latest rise places suicide again as the tenth leading cause of death in the U.S. Nationally, the suicide rate increased 2.4 percent over 2008 to equal approximately 12.0 suicides per 100,000 people. The rate of suicide has been increasing since 2000. This is the highest rate of suicide in fifteen years." (Source: AFSP)
  • Every 14.2 minutes someone completes the act of suicide in the U.S.
  • In a 24-hour period, approximately 101 people take their own life.
  • Currently, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States.
  • In 2009, there were 36,909 reported suicide deaths.
More questions?
Contact us at (239) 931-1200 or info@caresprevention.org.
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