Petrina Francis, Staff Reporter

Persons who commit suicide are oftentimes described as selfish or wicked, but consultant psychiatrist, Dr. Wendel Abel, says several factors could cause an individual to take his/ her life.

Some of the factors he highlighted were age, gender, one's state of depression, poor social support and no spouse.

Dr. Abel noted that more women attempted suicide than men, but men are usually more successful because they use more lethal weapons such as guns to carry out the act.

According to Dr. Abel, the rate of suicide in Jamaica is very low. A majority of the suicides, he said are committed under the age of 50, the highest being in the 30-39 age group.

The suicide rate for men is 3.6 per cent to 5.2 per cent per 100,000 and 0.5 per cent to 0.9 per cent in women.

Signs of depression and suicide risk:

Change in personality -becoming sad, withdrawn, irritable, anxious, tired, indecisive, apathetic

Change in behaviour - can't concentrate on school, work, routine tasks

Change in sleep pattern - oversleeping or insomnia, sometimes with early waking

Change in eating habits - loss of appetite and weight, or overeating

Loss of interest in friends, sex, hobbies, activities previously enjoyed

Worry about money, illness (real or imaginary)

Fear of losing control, "going crazy," harming self or others

Feelings of overwhelming guilt, shame, self-hatred

No hope for the future - "It will never get better, I will always feel this way."

Drug or alcohol abuse.

Recent loss of a loved one through death, divorce, separation, broken relationship; or loss of job, money, status, self-confidence, self-esteem.

Loss of religious faith

Nightmares

Suicidal impulses, statements, plans; giving away favourite things; previous suicide attempts or gestures

Agitation, hyperactivity, restlessness may indicate masked depression

Source: http://www.nami.org/ Content/ContentGroups/ Helpline1/Suicide_-_Learn_more,_ learn_to_help.htm