U.S. suicides outpace homicides - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Lebenz · #1 03-01-2005, 12:32 PM

"It is a matter of history that many of our greatest leaders in the last few centuries have been afflicted with various types of mental illnesses," Smith said....

PORTLAND — Suicides outnumber homicides in the United States, and about 90 percent of people who kill themselves have a diagnosable and preventable problem such as depression, a top mental-health official said yesterday.

Charles Curie, who heads the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, said suicides in the United States run at about 80 a day, or more than 29,000 a year, three for each two homicides.

He addressed the opening of a three-day suicide-prevention conference for mental-health and social workers from eight Western states.

"Patients and consumers must be at the center of physical and mental-health care," he said. "Without that ... people will continue to be leery in seeking the help they need, confused about how to get the help they need and scared to reach out for it."

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/health/2002193045_suicide01m.html

rickg · #2 03-01-2005, 12:37 PM

No, they just need to move away from Seattle and get more sunshine

GermanStar · #3 03-02-2005, 01:31 PM

This is clear evidence that we're moving precariously close to the edge -- unless we've already taken a tumble of course...

Angel · #4 03-02-2005, 05:40 PM

Quote:

I want you to know that I know that depression, mental illnesses, don't register Republican or Democrat. They affect all of us; I don't care what your race is, what your religion is, what your ethnicity is, your national origin, your sexual orientation," he said.

good words

so, if you dont die of old age, you are more likely to die by your own hand than by someone else's ?

hmm...

-John

boneheaddoctor · #5 03-02-2005, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GermanStar

This is clear evidence that we're moving precariously close to the edge -- unless we've already taken a tumble of course...

Its over exposure to a mindset that is epidemic in that part of the country that causes it. Or it could be inbreeding.............

GermanStar · #6 03-02-2005, 09:54 PM

While the article does originate from the Left Coast, the stats appear to be nation-wide.

boneheaddoctor · #7 03-02-2005, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GermanStar

While the article does originate from the Left Coast, the stats appear to be nation-wide.

True....but are they highest in Blue areas or Red areas?

GermanStar · #8 03-02-2005, 10:37 PM

I would expect the highest rate from large urban areas, since typical lifestyle in those areas is furthest removed from that of a healthy, natural existance.

Lebenz · #9 03-03-2005, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GermanStar

I would expect the highest rate from large urban areas, since typical lifestyle in those areas is furthest removed from that of a healthy, natural existance.

If suicide follows the bell curve of population that's on the mark. But what of folks such as Hunter Thompson and Hemmingway who spent their days in one of the most healthy environments to be found?

GermanStar · #10 03-03-2005, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lebenz

If suicide follows the bell curve of population that's on the mark. But what of folks such as Hunter Thompson and Hemmingway who spent their days in one of the most healthy environments to be found?

Thompson and Hemingway were brothers in arms, weren't they? These were deviant individuals with a strong and unhealthy yearning for life on the edge. As a brief analogy, I used to bet large sums of money on football games. Once I recovered from this malady of my youth, I no longer had any interest in football games. Once the near life-and-death thrill of heavy gambling was removed from the game, it was no longer worth playing.

boneheaddoctor · #11 03-03-2005, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lebenz

If suicide follows the bell curve of population that's on the mark. But what of folks such as Hunter Thompson and Hemmingway who spent their days in one of the most healthy environments to be found?

Hunter Tompson had life long metal issues that was definately a contributing factor....

He was hardly average or healthy....

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