Alcontara And Gone Writing: The Psychological Causes Of Suicide

Suicide stems from a great many risk factors, and research shows that the more risk factors a person is exposed to, the more likely that individual is to commit suicide. Risk factors are interrelated, and therefore, there is a strong correlation between substance abuse, mental illness, and suicidal behavior (Brockie, Dana-Sacco, Wallen, Wilcox, Campbell, 2015). Both drugs and alcohol are coping mechanisms for those who are suffering mental anguish. Alcontara and Gone write, “The psychological risk factors for suicidality have been found to be generally similar across populations and broadly include comorbidity with psychiatric and substance use disorders, family and personal history of suicidality, history of abuse (sexual and=or physical
abuse), general distress, and interpersonal conflict.” (Alcontara, Gone, 2007) Substance abuse is a problem for both the young and old in Native communities, however, it is important to point out the impact substance abuse has on the family of those afflicted, especially the children of those who use. When parents are facing depression, and coping with their feelings through drugs and alcohol not only are they absent from their children’s lives in a very important way, but they are also leading them down the path of substance abuse as well. Not only does substance abuse lead to a dysfunctional lifestyle and dysfunctional family environments, but worse, it coincides with further mental illness and suicidal behavior.