Case+Study

Case Study

Questions for Ann Dumont Since the beginning of the recession, starting in 2008, has: a) has there been a change in frequency of suicide cases b) has there been a change in the gender affected by the rates? (i.e. more women vs. men) c) has there been a change in the age group affected by the rates? d) has there been a change in the families affected by these cases e) in your opinion, how has the economic circumstances of a person in our society affected the rates of depression/suicide? f) any other observation or comments you may suggest?

General Case Study Information:

Seeing an increase in individuals coming in for support after losing loved ones. Drawing from the information that we have seen given to us from Ann Dumont we were able to see a pattern in individuals aged being linked with higher suicide rates.

Age Risk Factors Gender Risk Factors- Men are 4 to 1 times as likely to commit suicide, whereas women are more likely to attempt suicide.

We've seen an increase in younger individuals coming in for depression and suicide support in the Central Florida area.

Possible Questions:

1. Why is there an increase in suicide rates amongst people aged __?

Answer: Statistically, in Florida higher suicide rates have been linked with an older generation. From an epi standpoint, we are concerned with the number of younger individuals committing suicide. (Use graphs in appendix as references). According to the SPRC individuals aged 50-69

2. Is the increase that we are observing standard across the United States or is this a possible local epidemic that is of greater concern?

Answer: We can talk about possible differences between the Central Florida area as compared with the rest of the United States.

3. Does the economic downturn of 2008 have any effect on this increase?

Answer: ???

4. Are there other (age?) groups that need to be focused on when referencing incidence rates of depression? Answer: ???

Original Draft: Ann Dumont, a Facilitator for Survivors of Suicide support group sponsored by Hospice of the Comforter in the Central Florida area, is concerned with the rising number of suicide cases among people in their twenties. In search of finding a pattern or a reason for the increase she contacts Epidemiologists in the area to review facts. Ann reached out to additional resources knowing that “mental disorders (particularly depression and substance abuse) are associated with more than 90% of all cases of suicide” (Suicide: It Claims Good People, 2008).

The Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) provided data from 1999-2005 that reflects suicide being the 9th ranking cause of death in the state of Florida. Additionally, the data shows that an average of 2,256 residents died by suicide each year. On average, there are 6.2 suicides that take place on a daily basis (SPRC, 2008). However, these statistics do not reflect the increase is rates once the country was affected by the economic crisis. An article released August 2009 in the Orlando Sentinel reported that due to the crisis in 2008 Central Florida suicide rates increased by 13 percent compared to the previous year (Stutzman, 2009). Although it will take years to measure the exact increase in suicide rates due to the recession statistics by the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline show a relation. In 2008 when the economic crisis hit, calls to the lifeline increased by 36 percent (Harris, 2010).

Data has also revealed that the suicide rates differ among the two genders. Ann shared that the ratio to men versus women that commit suicide is four to one. Although statistically there are more women that suffer from depression, men do no look for treatment or help and the majority remain undiagnosed (Blake, n.d.). Nationally, 80 percent of suicide cases are related to males versus 20 percent being female cases. In Florida 77% of suicides that occur are male cases, compared to 23% of cases being of females (SPRC, 2008).

In Florida historical data shows that suicides commonly occur among those over 30 years of age. The SPRC also provides information illustrates that suicide attempts are highest between people 15-69. Both of these statistics are presented in the graph below: