When?
When do people take their lives?
A study of people who nearly died in a suicide attempt asked:
“How much time passed between the time you decided to complete suicide and when you actually attempted suicide?” (Simon 2001)
- 24% said less than five minutes
- Another 47% said an hour or less
Although some people who die by suicide plan their act carefully, many don’t. In fact, many take their lives within 24 hours of a crisis—like an argument with a family member or a relationship break-up.
The NVISS study found that one-third of youths who died by suicide had faced a crisis within 24 hours, according to the police or medical examiner investigation report.
