Two Podcasts - Suicide and Coping
Understanding Suicide (Podcast)
Understanding Suicide (Transcript)
[Announcer] This podcast is presented by the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention. CDC – safer, healthier people.
[Matthew Reynolds] Welcome to A Cup of Health with CDC, a weekly broadcast of the MMWR, the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. I’m your host, Matthew Reynolds. Suicide is a difficult topic to discuss, but it’s a subject we need to discuss. Not only has a life been lost prematurely, but victims can leave survivors with endless questions and lasting pain. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among youth and young adults between the ages of 10 and 24. A recent CDC study looked at trends in suicide among young people. Dr. Keri Lubell, a researcher with CDC’s Injury Center, is here to discuss the study’s findings, as well as identify the warning signs of suicide. Welcome to the show, Dr. Lubell.
[Dr. Lubell] Thank you very much for
having me.
[Matthew Reynolds] Dr. Lubell, how many youth and young adults are taking their
own lives?
[Dr. Lubell] In 2004, there were almost 4,600 deaths among people age 10
to 24 in the U.S. and that includes both boy and girls. And that number was up
sharply from what we saw in 2003.
[Matthew Reynolds] What are the signs of a possible suicide attempt?
[Dr. Lubell] Well, it’s important for
parents and teachers and friends to be able to
recognize when someone is struggling. Things like hopelessness, particularly
hopelessness about the future, giving away prized possessions. In particular,
one of the things that people should be looking out for is someone talking about
suicide, talking about killing themselves, talking about the fact that life
would be better if they weren’t here. It’s very important to take that seriously
when someone is talking about killing themselves. And, even if they’re not
necessarily at immediate risk for suicide, it signifies that somebody is
struggling, it signifies that they’re in trouble, and it is an indication that
they need help.
[Matthew Reynolds] People may have
friends that they suspect may be at risk of
suicide based on the symptoms that you just mentioned and should take action.
But we may also have friends or loved ones who may be just eccentric or exhibit
typically different behavior. How do you know when it’s appropriate to step in?
[Dr. Lubell] Any time that you think
that someone is struggling with something, it’s
never a bad idea to give them some support, let them know that you recognize
that they might be having a hard time. I think the difference is with suicide
that – first of all you want to look for, you know, marked changes in behavior -
sleeping, eating habits, things like that. But in addition, it’s also really
important that if you think someone might be thinking about suicide, if you
think that or if you’re worried that they might be thinking about suicide, one
of the things that you can do is ask them directly. You can sit down, talk with
them, let them know that you care, and then you can ask them directly, “Are you
thinking about harming yourself.” It’s important to be able to do that; it helps
bring suicide out of the darkness, out of the silence, and it makes it easier
for people if it’s something that we can talk about.
[Matthew Reynolds] You’ve mentioned steps that people should take if they suspect someone is at risk for suicide. What do you recommend for preventing suicide or for preventing a person from getting to that point where they’re thinking about it in the first place?
[Dr. Lubell] Well there are two things, I think, to keep in mind. The first thing is that clearly, these changes in rates suggest to us that we really need to be thinking about prevention early. We need to be thinking about primary prevention and ways to stop people from becoming suicidal in the first place. And then the second piece is that we Preventing Suicide in Young People Page 3 of 3 November 2007 need to be thinking about suicide prevention in broad terms because of its complex nature. We need to be looking at all of the factors that lead to suicide and to be able to address those issues before they become a suicidal crisis.
[Matthew Reynolds] If parents or teachers are concerned about someone committing suicide, where can they can get more information or get help?
[Dr. Lubell] Two places they can go for more information. They can go to our website at www.cdc.gov/ncipc, that’s the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. Or, they can also call the talk line that’s been established by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and that number is 1-800-273-TALK and that number can provide resources as well as links to local crisis services.
[Matthew Reynolds] Dr. Lubell, thank you for taking the time to talk to us today about this.
[Dr. Lubell] Thank you.
[Announcer] To access the most accurate and relevant health information that affects you,
your family and your community, please visit
www.cdc.gov.
Coping with Traumatic Events (Podcast)
Coping with Traumatic Events (Transcript)
[Announcer] This podcast is presented by the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention. CDC – safer, healthier people.
[Dr. Hammond]
Hello. I'm Dr. Rodney Hammond with the Injury Center at the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention. Tragedies affect all of us in different ways. Some
people might react to the stress immediately, while others may not react until
later. Some people may feel higher levels
of fear or relive past violent experiences. It's common for people who have
experienced a tragedy to feel a sense of loss, helplessness, or numbness for a
period of time. They may feel nervous or on edge. Some people may have troubling
memories and difficulty sleeping or concentrating.
Many may not recognize that these reactions are related to the stressful event.
If you've experienced a traumatic event, talk about your experiences and get
support from family, friends, and co-workers. Other places to seek support
include faith-based or volunteer organizations, such as the American Red Cross.
It’s important to take care of yourself by following your normal routine. Avoid
using
alcohol and drugs, which can suppress your feelings. Helping other people or
volunteering in your community can help you feel better. Keep in mind that
returning to the way you felt before the event may take some time. If your
distress continues, or if you have trouble managing your feelings, talk to a
psychologist, social worker, or professional counselor. For more information, go
to the CDC website at www.cdc.gov..
[Announcer] To access the most accurate and
relevant health information that affects you, your family and your community,
please visit www.cdc.gov.
Content Source: National Center for
Injury Prevention and Control
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