Suicide is often reduced to statistics to give people a general sense of the scale of the problem. But statistics can’t possibly illustrate the toll of each individual loss.
If you have lost a loved one to suicide, you are intimately familiar with the devastating and complex impact felt by surviving friends and family.
Your loved one’s death may have left you feeling lost and confused, unsure of where to turn for answers. As you and those around you struggle to come to terms with the loss, it can be difficult to know what to do or how to feel.
There is no right answer for how you should be feeling following the suicide of someone close to you. Grief is complex, and it’s rare that any two people will experience it in the same way. Just know that whatever you’re feeling, it’s okay.
Accepting your grief and allowing yourself to feel it is easier said than done, but there are things that can help. Here are a few things that may help in your grieving process.
The most common question that survivors of suicide come to is “Why did this happen?”
After a loved one’s suicide it can be easy in your search for answers to begin blaming yourself.
You may wonder what you could have done to prevent this outcome or you might feel guilt over signs you may have missed. You may find yourself wondering why your support wasn’t enough to keep them around.
The truth of the matter is that suicide is complicated with no singular explanation for why it happens. However, a framing that may help you understand is this: At the end of all things, your loved one died of an illness.
Most, if not all, victims of suicide suffer from an acute mental illness that contributed to the decision to end their life.
Mental illness can severely distort a person’s perception of their importance in the world and the care of those around them. Your loved one did not choose to become ill, and they would not have chosen to end their life had their illness not been pushing them to do so.
Mental illness is treatable just as cancer is treatable—but some people still succumb to their cancer even with treatment, while others recover and go on to live for years.
You do not need to wonder why your efforts weren’t enough or what you could have done better. In the end, succumbing to their illness requires no more blame than if they had died from a heart attack.
Understanding this will not make the loss hurt any less, but it may help to reconcile some of the confusion so you can grieve more peacefully.
There is no timetable on grief, so it’s impossible to say how long it will take for your life to begin to feel normal again.
There are, however, some things you can do to aid in your recovery process and ensure you are on the best possible path toward healing:
At the heart of all of these is connection with other people. You are not required or expected to do this alone. While you may occasionally need some time to yourself to process, it is support and connection with others that will be the most help in getting you through this difficult time.
After a traumatic loss, the idea of moving on can be scary. If you’re struggling with the transition, volunteering your time to a cause dedicated to preventing suicide and supporting survivors like you can help to ease some of the guilt and fear.
There may still be bumpy roads ahead. Grief is complicated and can come in waves. However, as you start feeling a little more whole you will be able to give yourself permission to begin living again.
There are varied reasons people hang on to things they don’t need based on their circumstances or deeper-lying struggles. A cluttered home—even one that would qualify as a Level 5 situation—doesn’t stem from laziness or lack of willpower.
More often than not, a cluttered home is the result of a difficult-to-control situation, which is part of normal life.
What’s the source of your clutter? Following, are a few factors that may be contributing to your at-home clutter:
Having children can bring an abundance of joy, but also plenty of clutter.
Baby gear that is only used for a short period of time, rapidly changing clothes sizes, and piles of toys accumulate quickly.
It doesn’t end with the baby phase, though. As all guardians know, older kids and teens bring their own messes into the home.
Food-related messes combined with sleep deprivation can make it difficult to keep up with housework.
With children leaving clutter everywhere and food-related messes needing immediate care, it can be difficult to keep up with housework. Especially when you consider the sleep deprivation that also comes with kids.
Between art and science projects on the counter and smelly gym bags and laundry
left around the house, things can get (or stay!) messy.
It doesn’t help that children aren’t well-known for cleaning up after themselves!
As adults age, they may struggle to keep up with their housework.
Think of all the reaching and bending over. Consider all the hard scrubbing. With health issues, simple cleaning tasks take much longer to accomplish, if it can still be done.
Decreased mobility and increased health issues can make cleaning overwhelming or even impossible.
In addition, it can be difficult to let go of possessions accumulated over a lifetime.
Anxiety can make it difficult to throw away possessions.
People with anxiety may hold on to items in excess in case of a feared emergency or indecision about what to do with items.
Finding the motivation to clean and declutter is often a struggle for someone suffering from depression.
The stress of an out-of-control home situation (whether it’s actually out of control
or simply perceived to be) can create a negative feedback loop.
For example, maybe you’re struggling with depression and lack the motivation to do the dishes. This means the dishes quickly pile up and within a week or two every surface in your kitchen could be covered in dirty dishes.
Now, you’re facing an overwhelming mess that can make you feel even worse—piling on exhaustion, guilt, and shame—and making you even less likely to find the motivation to clean up.
This cycle can leave those struggling with depression feeling more overwhelmed and less able to approach their home situation.
Individuals with ADHD often have intense, passionate interests and may accumulate items related to that interest. In addition, it can be difficult for a person with ADHD to create and stay focused on a plan for a big cleaning project. Anytime there are multiple steps involved, it’s easy for people with ADHD to get distracted.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is characterized by obsessive, intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. People with OCD sometimes deal with anxieties and emergencies by compulsively buying items. They may have obsessions about running out of essential items or a buying ritual that is difficult to break out of.
Trauma can be a trigger for accumulating clutter. If someone grew up without:
They may feel driven to hold onto things rather than throw them away when they are no longer needed. Research shows that childhood emotional abuse and physical neglect in particular predict higher levels of hoarding symptoms.
People who have experienced loss may also accumulate possessions to soothe the ache of missing their loved one. Buying new things triggers a brief dopamine high, bringing temporary emotional relief.
If you grew up in a home where clutter was common, you are more likely to show these behaviors yourself. You may have a genetic disposition toward it through related diagnoses like anxiety or depression. You may also be more used to an environment where clutter, mess, and even the higher levels of hoarding are the norm.
No matter the reason clutter starts, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed and stressed by the situation. Home maintenance is a big task under any conditions. Certain factors can make the situation feel impossible such as:
Stress can lead to disorganized homes, and disorganized homes can increase stress. Natalie Christine Dattilo, PhD, clinical health psychologist and instructor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, calls it a chicken-or-egg dilemma.
“Recent studies have shown that clutter in our homes is associated with higher cortisol levels [our stress hormone], but it’s still unclear which comes first,” says Dattilo.
“Is it that when we are under stress, our ability to maintain a well-organized home becomes impaired? Or when our home is in disarray, does that make us feel more stressed, overwhelmed, and anxious?”
Regardless of the root of the issue, there is a way out. Resources are available to help you deal with your home situation. Bio-One can help! Our services can help ease your stress. For more information on how we can help you with your clutter call (912) 755-1211.
The holiday season is usually seen as a time of great joy and merriment. Christmas, in particular, is when folks try to get together with family and friends in festive spirits. Based on this, amidst all-around celebration and optimism, something somber and tragic is often linked to Christmas – suicides.
Many people believe that Christmas is a time when the risk of suicide reaches its peak. The correlation drawn between suicides and the holiday season is decades old. But is there any grain of truth in all this?
The bio-hazard cleaning experts at Bio-One Savannah are highly sensitive to the immense tragedy of suicide and other forms of unnatural death. In a time of intense grief, we offer top professional and compassionate cleaning services to the family or property owners after a suicide has occurred.
In this blog post, we will explore the facts behind the holiday suicide claims – is it real or just a myth? Let’s start with some basic facts about suicide in the US:
Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the United States. In 2021 alone, there were close to 48,180 deaths by suicide – over 130 people were found dead. Almost twice as many people are killed by suicide than homicides across the US.
And that is just the tip of the iceberg. If we look at suicide attempts, there are only rough estimates. Considering the fact that not every attempt at self-inflicted harm results in a death or visit to the hospital ER, we may never know the true picture.
Nonetheless, reports and predictions from experts indicate that there are at least 1.2 million suicide attempts each year in the US. For every death by suicide, there are at least 25 unsuccessful attempts at taking own life. Each day across the country, a suicide attempt takes place once every 26 seconds on average.
We have high-quality historical data about suicide attempts dating back at least to the 1950s. What we've seen over the decades paints a startling picture – after hitting a low in 2000, suicide rates have increased by as much as 30% in the last two decades.
Beginning with a high rate of 13.2 in the post-World War II era in 1950, the suicide rates saw a progressive decline to 10.4 per 100,000 people by the year 2000. Much of that positive change has been attributed to advances in mental health treatments and a steady improvement in economic conditions.
In relation to this, ever since the beginning of the 21st century, things have gone downhill in terms of cases of depression and suicide. By 2018, the suicide rates nationally had exceeded the 1950 levels to reach an all-time high of 14.2 per 100,000 population. There was a temporary dip in those figures during the early stages of the pandemic, reaching 13.48 in 2020.
Since then, the numbers have once again bounced back sharply, and suicide rates reached a new record of 16.1 suicides per 100,000 population. Suicide prevention has been rightfully termed as vital for public health and welfare.
Suicide risk is not evenly distributed across the entire population. For instance, the rates are extremely low among young children below the age of 10. Moreover, based on demographic factors like race, gender, and age, suicide risks can vary to a great degree.
The difference in suicide rates here is quite staggering. Men are up to 3.5 times more likely to commit suicide than women in the United States. This gap has remained more or less constant since at least the 1950s.
Among men, the risk is higher as they age. The rate is around 28.3 between the ages 25-44 and 27.4 between 45-64. But the highest risk comes after the age of 75 for men – the suicide rate is a whopping 40.5 per 100,000 population.
Among women, the peak risk comes after the age of 45. The suicide rate for females is 7.2 between the ages 25-44, and it reaches a peak of 7.9 between ages 45-64. The risk falls off considerably after the age of 65 in women. In 2023, the age-adjusted suicide rate was 25 for men and 7.5 for women in the United States.
There are significant differences in the chosen suicide methods as well. Men prefer using a gun (57.9%), followed by suffocation (26.7%). Among women, the primary means of suicide are firearms (33%), suffocation (29%), and poisoning (28.6%).
In absolute numbers, the majority of suicides involve middle-aged white men. Going by percentage rate among the population, Native Americans had the highest rate of 37.4 per 100,000, followed by white males at 27 per 100,000.
African American, Asian, and Hispanic populations had the lowest rates of 12.9, 10.3, and 12.3, respectively, per 100,000. The rates for women are largely similar, with Native American and White populations showing higher rates of suicide than others.
The following are the broad rates per 100,000 for each age group, including both men and women at present:
Teenagers tend to have lower suicide rates than adults, contrary to many news reports and popular perceptions. The rates are much higher for young adults and senior citizens. But the youth are nevertheless at risk of suicide attempts, with 8.9% reporting an attempt in 2019.
According to WHO figures, the global death toll from suicide each year is around 700 million. It was also the fourth leading cause of death among adolescents/young adults between 15 and 29 years of age in 2019.
Over 77% of all suicides take place in lower-income countries, with pesticide ingestion a very popular option in countries where firearms are not readily available. The US does not rank among the top 25 nations in terms of age-adjusted suicide rates. Here are the top 5 nations:
The actual reasons for suicide are quite varied and complex. Mental disorders, stress (particularly due to a sudden onset of crisis), depression, and alcohol abuse, are all major factors. Financial issues, relationship crises, loss of a partner, father, or mother, and chronic pain or illness are all common stressors.
Discriminated minorities, such as indigenous people and members of the LGBTQ community, are at higher risk of death by suicide. Natural disasters, conflicts, and forms of violence can also push people toward suicide attempts.
Suicide rates are not evenly distributed across different states in the country. Alaska and the Western and Northwestern states have higher rates, particularly in the rural areas. California is a notable exception, with generally lower rates.
As for the state of Georgia, it sits 31st on the table of states with the highest incidence of suicides in the United States. The age-adjusted rate in the state is higher than in other states in the South.
Suicide also ranks as the second leading cause of death among youth in Georgia. Savannah falls under Chatham County in Region 5, which reported the highest rate of suicides among teens in 2019, according to official figures from Atlanta police.
If you have faced the trauma of suicide on your property or family home in Savannah, GA, Bio-One Savannah is prepared to offer you quick, reliable, and compassionate service. Our team of certified experts is equipped with high-tech resources. We are available 24/7 to handle the cleaning and disinfection of all contaminated surfaces in accordance with both state and federal laws.
Be it the cleanup of homes, vehicles, or commercial property, our specialists are trained to address all conditions. We are dedicated to handling your unique needs with utmost care and caution under the latest OSHA guidelines for maximum safety. To request our suicide cleanup services, give us a call at 912-755-1211, or use the contact us form here
The supposed link between Christmas and suicides is a myth that is not backed by any factual observations or real-world data. The fact is that the rate of suicides does not increase during the holidays. Let us look at some of the reasons to debunk the myth of higher suicide rates during the Christmas and holiday seasons.
Contrary to popular belief, the holidays do not make people feel more miserable and increase the chance of a suicide attempt. In reality, the opposite is true – all the positivity and merriment act as a buffer against depression and suicidal thoughts in many individuals.
As long as they are not isolated and cooped up in their rooms, they can attend social events. partying and dancing during Christmas and other winter holidays keep people distracted from their suicidal impulses. Social gatherings provide excellent support against suicidality.
Taking your own life is not an easy task. It takes a lot of energy (both mental and physical) to successfully carry out the act. This is why most suicides happen in the warmer months and not in winter.
In regions with cold and darker winters, the human body has less energy to spare. We end up more lethargic in order to conserve body heat. The same phenomenon is also responsible for significantly reducing the rate of suicides during the holiday season.
The urge to end your life is a highly complex feeling which is usually driven by a wide range of psychological factors. Mental illness, depression, anxiety, and stress can all play a part. A unique set of factors drives each individual.
While it may sound convenient to attribute many suicides to a single universal cause, that would be a gross oversimplification of things. Sure, people do end up feeling suicidal around this time – but it is often rooted in very negative personal experiences from the past, not just a general aversion to the holiday season.
But in other instances, it can also be inspired by external stimuli – when a person sees news of suicides involving an actress or other celebrities, it can trigger impulses that lead to “copycat suicides.” This is a reason why we have journalistic rules and standards when covering suicides in the media - for the sake of suicide prevention.
Nobody knows for sure when the myth of high suicide rates at Christmas first started. Some experts attribute at least part of the blame to movies like “It’s a Wonderful Life,” where the lead character contemplates suicide during the holidays.
Seasonal Affective Disorder is commonly cited as another reason to back the claim. A form of depression triggered by changes in the season can happen at any time of the year, not just during winter. The condition is also linked to bipolar disorder, which also increases the risk of suicide.
Journalists and news media have also played a key role in at least perpetuating the myth, if not actually creating it. Despite the availability of data that debunks the claim, many journalists fail to do due diligence before publishing articles on the trend.
While we can say with confidence that Christmas suicides are indeed a myth, there is another aspect to it worth considering. Christmas and social interaction can act as a buffer against suicidal urges during December.
But once we pass the holiday season and enter January, those same suppressed urges and depressive traits can often come back with a vengeance. Over the decades, researchers have noticed a decline in suicides in December, followed by an uptick in rates during January, a phenomenon called the “January rebound.”
Suicides can be incredibly traumatic situations, whether it happens in your family or if it involves a complete stranger found inside your vehicle or on your property. Depending on the method used, a suicide can leave significant biological contamination in and around the surroundings.
Suicide scene clean-up is not something anyone can or should do as a DIY project. For community health and safety reasons, there are strict laws at both the state and federal levels on the handling and disposal of human remains and bio-waste.
If you are based in Savannah, GA, or nearby areas, you can rely on Bio-One Savannah for fast, compassionate, and discreet cleanup services. Our industry-leading experts are fully certified, trained, and experienced in handling and disposing of biological contaminants resulting from suicide.
If you wish to request Savannah suicide cleanup services at any time of the day, Bio-One is here to help you round the clock on all days of the week. Give us a call at 912-755-1211, or book an appointment online today using this link.
If you or someone you know may be considering suicide, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (en español: 1-888-628-9454; deaf and hard of hearing: dial 711, then 1-800-273-8255) or the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.
According to the American Psychiatric Association, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States and the second leading cause of death (after accidents) for people aged 10 to 34. And according the CDC, published reports from 2020 suggest that the pandemic has had a negative effect on children’s mental health.
“Beginning in April 2020, the proportion of children’s mental health–related ED visits among all pediatric ED visits increased and remained elevated through October. Compared with 2019, the proportion of mental health–related visits for children aged 5–11 and 12–17 years increased approximately 24%. and 31%, respectively.”
Researchers have yet to link recent suicides to the pandemic since 2020 suicide data is not yet available. But on the ground, there's growing concern.
The February 2021 NPR article “Child Psychiatrists Warn That The Pandemic May Be Driving Up Kids' Suicide Risk” explores possible correlation. Takeaways include:
For ways to help kids at risk, NPR encourages readers to read Part 2 of their story, “Make Space, Listen, Offer Hope: How To Help A Child At Risk Of Suicide”.
Suicide Prevention Resources
Survivors of Suicide – What to Do Next
The loss of a loved one by suicide can be a deeply painful and traumatizing experience; however, it’s important to know that everyone experiences suicide loss in their own way. As you begin the process of healing, consider reading the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s guide for to talk to others about what happened and identify ways to take care of yourself.
Additionally, if you have lost someone to suicide, there may be a cleanup required. There is no need for family or friends of the loved one to be further traumatized or overwhelmed with trying to figure out how to clean the impacted area. Bio-One is here for you. Learn more about Bio-One’s suicide remediation services.
If you or someone you know may be considering suicide, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (en español: 1-888-628-9454; deaf and hard of hearing: dial 711, then 1-800-273-8255) or the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.
