Experts have identified risks both generally and specific to each age group, and patterns of events and behaviors that occur before suicides. For example, most middle-aged people who complete a suicide have a history of a mental disorder or chemical dependency and have tried suicide in the past. Most seniors have seen their doctor within days of committing suicide. Many of the youths and young men have ended a romantic relationship or feel that relationship is threatened within days of their suicide. Women do not disfigure themselves while committing suicides.
Women are more likely to die of drug overdoses than men.
But, according to Assistant Medical Examiner Harry Bonnell, women are increasingly choosing firearms to commit suicide. Experts say the rate of women using guns has doubled in the past five years. And women shoot themselves in the head at the same rate as men, seven of eight suicides by gun involve a head wound. Women also hang themselves at twice the rate as men, and jump from high places or get in front of a train at slightly higher rates than men. Vietnam veterans have a much higher risk of suicide.