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Owen Wilson, the 38-year-old actor who was hospitalized Sunday following a reported suicide attempt, sheds light on suicide, which is a major, preventable public health problem.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, suicide was the eighth leading cause of death for males and the sixteenth leading cause of death for females in 2004. The risk factors include:

• Depression and other mental disorders, or a substance-abuse disorder (often in combination with other mental disorders). More than 90 percent of people who die by suicide have these risk factors.
• Stressful life events, in combination with other risk factors, such as depression. However, suicide and suicidal behavior are not normal responses to stress; many people have these risk factors, but are not suicidal.
• Prior suicide attempt
• Family history of mental disorder or substance abuse
• Family history of suicide
• Family violence, including physical or sexual abuse
• Firearms in the home, the method used in more than half of suicides
• Incarceration
• Exposure to the suicidal behavior of others, such as family members, peers, or media figures.

What should I do if I think someone is suicidal?

If you think someone is suicidal, do not leave him or her alone. Try to get the person to seek immediate help from his or her doctor or the nearest hospital emergency room, or call 911. Eliminate access to firearms or other potential tools for suicide, including unsupervised access to medications.

Source: National Institute of Mental Health

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