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Acknowledging the problem of male suicide
Submitted by el cid on Thu, 2012-02-16 15:06
This letter-to-the-editor acknowledges something rarely acknowledged: that men are at greater risk for suicide than women. It also gives some useful statistics on the issue and supports a bill to help suicidal persons. The letter:
'Colorado has the sixth-highest rate of suicide in the nation (867 deaths in 2010, including 447 in the metro area). The largest number is among men of working age (35 to 54). Suicide is the second-leading cause of death among young people (ages 10 to 34). Men over 75 are at highest risk. A death by suicide has a profound impact on family, friends, the workplace, and results in an untold loss of productivity.
Colorado House Bill 1140 (sponsored by Rep. Matt Jones and Sen. Linda Newell) will, if passed, ask hospitals to provide information about suicide (risk factors, signs and sources of help) to family and friends to whom a suicidal person is being discharged. Any effort that gets information into the hands of those closest to suicidal persons will help save lives.
Susan Marine, Boulder
The writer is a board member for the Suicide Prevention Coalition of Colorado.'
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Comments
Loss of productivity?
In the same breath is mentioned that 'working age' men are are at the top for sheer numbers of suicides and that suicide causes 'loss of productivity'. I'd imagine the greatest concern would be about the emotional damage and human loss, really-- and it would be if this were all true about women. But it isn't, so the concern is 'loss of productivity'. You'll never, and I mean never, hear anyone say that the loss of women to suicide is a blow to 'productivity'.
Oh, I am glad this letter got published. What I am not glad about is how once again men were placed into the same mold we always seem to get placed in: units of work instead of units of humanity.
Good point, Matt
I was glad to see the letter mention the fact that suicide is a greater problem for men than women. I didn't notice the "lack of productivity" statement. As you said, that reduces men once against to beasts of burdens.
"You'll never, and I mean
"You'll never, and I mean never, hear anyone say that the loss of women to suicide is a blow to 'productivity'."
Probably because it wouldn't be a blow to it. Money that is spent on women's social programs almost never has anything to do with how much those women contribute back to society. The general flow of private and public funds goes from men towards women and any social programs for men can only be justified if they don't disturb that balance.
For male military personnel, it is the hat trick effect
The three leading causes of suicide for military personnel: 1. No fault divorce, 2. VAWA, and 3. USFSPA. These laws give female spouses the down and dirty ease of ending a relationship, taking the kids, and all of your money. Too many guys have come home from Iraq and Afghanistan with no legs, no arms, and most importantly, no wife and kids. an empty bank account, and an envelope full of bills and divorce paperwork. Never did they think they would come home from war to fight the biggest war in their lives right here in America. Military personnel have the highest suicide rate in the world and this is the reason why.