There is a strong link between suicide and mental health disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and drug and alcohol abuse. The difficulty suicidal people have imagining a solution to their suffering is due in part to the distorted thinking caused by depression. Depression is one of the most important risk factors in male suicide. Unfortunately, male depression is under-diagnosed because men are less likely to seek help. Although death by suicide is higher for men, attempted suicide rates are higher for women. Women are more prone than men to experience anxiety and depression, at any age. Although the reasons why women experience higher levels of depression are unknown, many experts believe the pressures of balancing work and family responsibilities, including children as well as aging parents, may lead to added mental health burdens.
