There were 469 suicides in Massachusetts in 2005, including 54 involving people ages 15 to 24.
Of all suicides reported in Massachusetts in 2004, 45 percent of the people had a current mental health problem, 25 percent had problems with an intimate partner, 24 percent had a history of substance or alcohol abuse, and 18 percent had physical health problems.
According to the 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Survey 11% (145) of Needham High School students reported that they had suicidal thoughts and 3% (42) said they had attempted suicide.
Rural youths in 2005 were more likely than their urban or suburban counterparts to report that they had intentionally hurt themselves, but less likely to have attempted a suicide that resulted in injury.
The leading method for male suicide is hanging/suffocation and firearms. The leading method for females is poisoning and hanging/suffocation.
Males were 4 times more likely to commit suicide than females in 2004.
Parents or teenagers struggling with depression or contemplating suicide can get help by calling the Samaritans of Boston, a suicide prevention organization. The 24-hour hotline can be reached at 877-870-HOPE.
There were 118,000 crisis calls to Samaritans in 2005.
Suicide Myths & Facts
Myth: Confronting a person about suicide will only make them angry and increase the risk of suicide.
Fact: Asking someone directly about suicidal intent lowers anxiety, opens up communication, and lowers the risk of an impulsive act.
Myth: Only experts can prevent a suicide.
Fact: Suicide prevention is everybody's business, and anyone can help prevent it.
Myth: Suicidal people keep their plans to themselves.
Fact: Most suicidal people communicate their intent sometime in the week preceding their attempt.
Myth: Once a person decides to complete suicide, there is nothing anyone can do to stop them.
Fact: Suicide is the most preventable kind of death, and almost any positive action may save a life.
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