Did you know that suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States? And that men are 3.5 more likely to die from suicide than women? This is a troubling statistic and one that we should all be aware of. The fact that so many men are dying from suicide indicates something is wrong. Why are they so proud to get help?
Suicide is a hugely sensitive, complex issue with a tangled multitude of causes – and the very nature of a death by suicide means we can never fully know the reasons behind it.
Still, as mental health awareness has grown, there is a greater public understanding of potential contributing factors. However, one of the questions that has persisted is this gender gap. It seems especially large, given that women tend to have higher rates of depression diagnoses.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please seek help. There are suicide hotlines available 24/seven that can help. Please don’t hesitate to reach out for help if you need it.
It’s time for us to start talking about this issue and to figure out why so many men are dying by suicide. We need to do something to change the statistics and save lives. If you’re a man reading this, please don’t be afraid to seek help if you’re struggling. Your life is worth saving.
Men may also choose these methods because they’re more intent on completing the act. One study of more than 4,000 hospital patients who had engaged in self-harm found, for example, that the men had higher levels of suicidal intent than the women.
Why are men struggling – and what can be done about it?
Risk factors
One key element is communication. It’s too simplistic to say women are willing to share their problems and men tend to bottle them up. But it is true that, for generations, many societies have encouraged men to be “strong” and not admit they’re struggling.
It often starts in childhood. “We tell boys that ‘boys don’t cry’,” says Colman O’Driscoll, former executive director of operations and development at Lifeline, an Australian charity providing 24- hour crisis support and suicide prevention services. “We condition boys from a very young age to not express emotion, because to express emotion is to be ‘weak’.”
The suicide rate in the United States has been rising in recent years, and it’s time for us to take action. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out for help. And if you’re a man reading this, please don’t be afraid to seek help if you need it. Your life is worth saving.
The fact that suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States should be a wake-up call for all of us. This problem is not going away on its own, and we need to do something about it. If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, please reach out for help. You are not alone, and there is hope for you. Contact us today to find out more about our suicide prevention services, and let us help you get back on track.