Suicide is the deliberate taking of one’s own life. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), suicide was ranked as the 11^th leading cause of death in the United States in 2004, accounting for over 32,400 deaths.  Another 650,000 people receive emergency treatment every year after suicide attempts. More people die every year from suicide than from homicide.

People who wish to kill themselves often experience overpowering feelings of despair, hopelessness and isolation that cloud their judgment. Such intense feelings are considered abnormal reactions to normal events in life such as loss, disappointment, rejection or failure. Stressful events in a person’s life may trigger the extreme emotions that can lead to suicidal thoughts or behaviors.

Thinking about killing oneself is called suicidal ideation. Sometimes, but not always, these thoughts lead to suicide. It is estimated that there are eight to 25 suicide attempts for every suicide death according to NIMH. Most people with suicidal thoughts or behavior indicate their feelings or intentions to friends or family members.

Suicide is different from other types of violent self-injury in which emotional release is the objective – not death.

Suicidal thoughts and behavior appear to be the result of a combination of various components, including psychological, genetic and environmental factors. Suicide is most commonly linked to depression and substance abuse disorders.