[YSPNetwork] FYI Report: 55% increase in ED visits for drug-related suicide attempts by males 21-34

[Donna NOONAN]

Dear YSPNetworkers,
There is a new report from SAMHSA - see below for the news release and
see http://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/advisories/1106162934.aspx: for links
to the full report.
 
SAMHSA News Release 

Date: 6/17/2011 12:05 AM 
Media Contact: SAMHSA Press Office
Telephone: 240-276-2130New report shows a 55 percent increase from 2005
to 2009 in emergency department visits for drug-related suicide attempts
by males aged 21 to 34

A new national study shows that from 2005 to 2009 there was a 55
percent increase in emergency department visits for drug related suicide
attempts by men aged 21 to 34 -- from 19,024 visits in 2005 to 29,407
visits in 2009. In 2009, there were a total of 77,971 emergency
department visits for drug-related suicide attempts among males of all
ages. 

The report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration (SAMHSA) shows that visits from younger adult males
involving certain pharmaceuticals increased substantially.  
Among males aged 21 to 34, emergency department visits for suicide
attempts involving antidepressants increased by 155 percent and
anti-anxiety and insomnia medications increased by 93 percent.
Emergency department visits for suicide attempts among males aged 35 to
49 involving narcotic pain relievers almost doubled from 2005 to 2009,
while the numbers almost tripled among men aged 50 and older. 
 *While we have learned much about how to prevent suicide, it continues
to be a leading cause of death among people who abuse alcohol and drugs,*
said SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde, J.D.  *The misuse of
prescription drugs is clearly helping to fuel the problem.  Greater
awareness about the warning signs and risk factors for suicide,
including abuse of alcohol and drugs, can help people take action and
save lives.*
Common warning signs of someone who may be at increased risk for
suicide can include: 
·         Talking about wanting to die
·         Talking about feeling hopeless or having no purpose
·         Acting anxiously, agitated or recklessly
·         Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
·         Withdrawing or feeling isolated
·         Displaying mood swings 
People in crisis or concerned about someone they believe may be at risk
for suicide should contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
(1-800-273-TALK) for round-the-clock, immediate assistance anywhere in
the country. http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ 
Trends in Emergency Department Visits for Drug-Related Suicide Attempts
among Males: 2005 and 2009, was developed as part of SAMHSA*s strategic
initiative on data, outcomes, and quality * an effort to inform policy
makers and service providers on the nature and scope of behavioral
health issues.  The report is based on data from the 2005 * 2009 Drug
Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) reports.  DAWN is a public health
surveillance system that monitors drug-related hospital emergency
department visits reported throughout the nation.
The study focused on cases where a determination was made by the
hospital emergency department staff that the admission was an
intentional drug-related suicide attempt, rather than an unintentional
overdose.

The full report is available on the web
http://oas.samhsa.gov/2k11/DAWN018/DAWN018.cfm.
For related publications and information, visit http://www.samhsa.gov/.


SAMHSA is a public health agency within the Department of Health and
Human Services. Its mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse
and mental illness on America*s communities.
Donna G. Noonan, MPH, CHES
Youth Suicide Prevention Coordinator
Injury Prevention & Epidemiology Program
Oregon Public Health Division
800 NE Oregon, Ste 772
Portland, OR 97232
Phone: 971-673-1023 
Fax 971-673-0990
donna.noonan at state.or.us
http://oregon.gov/dhs/ph/ipe/ysp/index.shtml
 
Join YSPNetwork, Youth Suicide Prevention listserv for the Pacific
Northwest at
http://listsmart.osl.state.or.us/mailman/listinfo/yspnetwork
 
 
 
 
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