Numbers game: suicide

A striking difference between suicide rates of young men and young women has emerged over the past 25 years. Among men aged 15 to 24, the death rate from suicide has almost doubled. But for young women, the rate is lower and more stable.Reasons for this difference may lie in some of the factors linked to suicide. One highly significant factor is substance abuse. Alcohol and drugs affect thinking. They can act as depressants. They decrease inhibitions, which may increase the likelihood of a depressed young person making a suicide attempt. US research has shown that one in three adolescents is intoxicated at the time of death, and others are under the influence of drugs. A recent Samaritans study found that young men are 10 times more likely to use a drug to relieve stress.Another difference may lie in the prejudice and social stigma that surrounds suicide. Young men are less likely than young women to receive a supportive response from their peers if they express suicidal thoughts, according to a Samaritans survey. Other young people are more likely to laugh, change the subject, feel embarrassed and have no idea what to say. A survey suggests 15 per cent of young people would laugh and think he was joking, compared with four per cent for a suicidal young woman