Why are men more likely to die by suicide and what are some resources to help?
-
Staff
Airdate: November 10, 2022
Here are some alarming and sobering numbers. Nearly 46 thousand people died by suicide in the U.S. in 2020. Women were one and a half times more likely than men to ATTEMPT suicide, but men were four times more likely to DIE by suicide. Those numbers come from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Men make up 49 percent of the population, but 80 percent of suicide deaths are men. Why — and what can be done to stop men and women for that matter from taking their own lives?
The Men’s Health Network focuses on the physical and mental health of men and boys and are bringing attention to men’s suicides.
On The Spark today, we’re joined by Dr. Sal Giorgianni, Men’s Health Network’s Senior Science Advisor, and author, columnist, and radio host Armin Brott, who often focuses on fatherhood.
“I t’s a very complex issue. And I think one of the one of the things that helped put this in focus a little bit better is the fact that of those men who have died by suicide, 70% of them have never had a diagnosis of mental health conditions,” Giogranni said. “So, I think one of the one of the reasons is that it’s not recognized in guys that they are going through some emotional pain or hurt to or desperation to the point where they are committing the ultimate problem in mental health suicide.”
Brott outlined several symptoms of male depression.
- Do you cry a lot?
- Do you have feelings of worthlessness?
- Are you abusing substances?
- Are you working more than you should?
- Are you separating yourself from your family?
If you or a loved one is having suicidal thoughts you can call 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the United States.
Other resources: healthymen.org and the “Certified Men’s Health Educator” training at academy.healthymen.org.
