#shawleveryday2019 Day 69
On Friday I talked a little bit about how mental health affects women specifically, but today I want to dive a little bit deeper into the difference in suicide completion rate in men vs. women.
Women tend to have a higher rate of suicidal ideation (thoughts about suicide), but men tend to more likely to die as a result of a suicide attempt. There are a few reasonings behind this statistic. Men tend to choose a more fatal method of suicide, such as hanging or firearms, whereas women tend to choose medication overdose, which allows more time for them to be found before the overdose becomes fatal.
There are also various ideas about why men choose a more fatal method. One thought is that men are taught to be "tough" and "strong" and that there is no room for failure. As such, a "black or white" type of thinking may result. Women may also take others into consideration, such as long-term partners or children, which may lead them to less-fatal forms or suicide.
If you or a loved one is considering suicide, please contact the national suicide prevention lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
Additional resources:
