Surgeon general issues call to action to prevent suicides

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July 28, 1999
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In this story: At-risk group is changing National suicide strategy in the works Coaches, hairdressers being taught suicide warning signs RELATED STORIES, SITES

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The United States' top public health official Wednesday declared suicide a serious health threat for the first time, launching an effort to educate school counselors, parents and even hairdressers on how to spot signs of trouble.

"The nation must address suicide as a significant public health problem and put into place national strategies to prevent the loss of life and the suffering suicide causes," Surgeon General David Satcher said in a "call to action."

"We must act now," Satcher said.

Suicide is the ninth leading cause of death in the United States. In 1997, about 30,000 people took their own lives. By comparison, fewer than 19,000 people were homicide victims.

"This is a national tragedy and a public health problem demanding national leadership," said Tipper Gore, the vice president's wife, an advocate for mental health issues.

"Let's talk about the reality of suicide in our national life," she said. "Let's encourage all Americans to get the help they need."

At-risk group is changing

The number of people who killed themselves has remained stable for the past 20 to 30 years. White men 65 and older are the most likely to commit suicide, accounting for 20 percent of the cases.

But the age and race of those who commit suicide is changing. For example, suicide used to be rare among young black men, but the rate has increased by two-thirds in the past 15 years.

Larry Sims, 22, is one of those young black men who tried to kill himself. On his third suicide attempt, he jumped out a window.

"I just wanted to end it, just end my life," Sims said. "I had nothing to live for."

But Sims didn't die. He's now quadriplegic.

"I broke my neck," Sims said. "I bruised my spinal cord. I was like, 'I ain't never going to walk again.' I was like, 'This ain't what I wanted.'"

Members of other groups also are becoming more likely to try suicide. In the past 15 years, the suicide rate among young white males has tripled. It doubled among young white females. Other groups at risk include children ages 10 to 14.

Beyond actual suicides, there are many more failed attempts: About a half-million Americans are treated in an emergency room each year after trying to kill themselves.

National suicide strategy in the works

This is the first time a surgeon general has taken up suicide -- or even mental health -- as an issue. But Satcher said he thinks the American people are ready to deal with the problem.

"I think we're ready to move from an environment of blame and stigmatization when it comes to mental health problems," Satcher said.

A full and comprehensive report on all facets of mental health is expected by the end of the year, and a comprehensive national suicide strategy is expected in early 2000.

Wednesday's report, released by Satcher and Gore, grew out of a conference on suicide prevention that Satcher convened in Reno, Nevada, last October.

Experts compiled 81 recommendations, some of which needed further refinement.

But 15 ideas were broadly accepted, so Satcher opted to begin work on those now.

"Our feeling was, this is too important to wait for the full-blown, comprehensive strategy," said Damon Thompson, Satcher's spokesman. "It's simple, it's understandable, and there's near universal agreement that these 15 steps can prevent suicide."

Coaches, hairdressers being taught suicide warning signs

Many of the recommendations involve educating the public to recognize when someone seems at risk of suicide and how to get help. That includes doctors and nurses, but also clergy and others who interact with people and hear about their problems.

"We want coaches, we want schoolteachers, we want hairdressers, we want people who interact with the community," Thompson said. "It's going to take outreach. It's going to take training. It's going to take communities to realize it's got to be a priority."

Satcher announced a campaign to reach many of those groups to raise awareness about suicide.

The Clinton administration planned to help distribute to school counselors a PBS video called "Depression: On the Edge" to help counselors detect teen depression.

Satcher and Gore also are working with the Ad Council and MTV on a campaign to be released later this year or early next year to help reduce the stigma of mental illness.

"We're talking about creating an environment of support and caring where a person not only feels comfortable coming forward but would be encouraged to come forward," Satcher said.

And the Department of Health and Human Services plans to work with organizations like Meals on Wheels to identify people who may be at risk.

• Educating the public that suicide is preventable and working to diminish the stigma of mental illness, substance abuse and suicide.
• Helping primary care doctors and nurses learn how to recognize and treat depression, substance abuse and other mental problems associated with suicide and increasing referrals to specialists when appropriate.
• Working with news and entertainment media to present balanced portrayals of suicide.
• Increasing research on suicide risk and prevention programs.
• Formally evaluating suicide prevention programs to determine what works.