Thoughts of suicide is common among depressed people. Though it does not mean that every depressed person will have suicide ideation or worst still attempt suicide, it does put people suffering from depression at a higher risk for suicide than the general population. Usually, sufferers of major depression will not have the energy to actually commit suicide though they may think about it. Once the symptoms lift and they are experiencing moderate depression, they may carry out their suicidal thoughts because they have more energy. Suicide is not exclusive to severe depression and moderate depression there may be other risks factors involved as well. Fortunately, suicide ideation can be controlled in depressed individuals with proper medication.

According to the statistics, nearly 15 percent of individuals suffering from clinical depression will commit suicide. Suicide was the 8th leading cause of death for American citizens in 1997. Nearly 11 out of every 100,000 individuals die by suicide, which translates to roughly 30,500 individuals who died by taking their own life that year. Not all suicide attempts are successful and in 1996 there were approximately 500,000 failed suicide attempts. The depression facts indicate that four times more women attempt suicide, however, more men are actually successful at carrying it out. For every 25 suicide attempts, one of them will result in death. Men and the elderly as a group will be more successful in committing suicide.

It seems that suicide, which was carried out through the use of firearms is the most common method among men and women alike. Firearms are used in 58% of all suicides. Firearms use is most common amongst white males and is the preferred method of suicide for elderly men who are 85 years of age and older. Suicide has become the third leading cause of death for people between 15 to 24 years of age. Even more striking is the fact that 303 young children between 10 and 14 committed suicide in 1997.

The risk factors depend upon age, gender, and race, but they can change over time. However, individuals suffering from clinical depression are already in a high-risk group. Nearly 90 percent of suicide victims have depression, or substance abuse addiction or another form of mental illness. Suicide attempters like people suffering from major depression have a chemical brain imbalance of the neurotransmitter called serotonin.

When you combine the brain chemistry and terrible life events, you get a lethal combination. There is also the risk factor contributed to people who already have other family members suffering from mental illnesses, and substance abuse. If there is a history of family violence, that too can increase the risk of suicide. Lesser-known risk factors include incarceration, just being exposed to suicide through media coverage, and having firearms in the house which can become temptations for attempted suicides. Having firearms in the house makes it easier to commit the act. Overall, the strongest influence on suicide and suicide attempts, is depression, alcohol abuse, cocaine use, and a separation or a divorce

It is important not to ignore suicide attempts, it is never to be considered just a means for attention. Most suicides are inappropriate reactions to distress. If you know someone who has attempted suicide at least once, direct him or her to a medical professional whenever you can. Education in schools, counseling groups, and even the limitation of access to firearms especially among younger children can help.