suicide methods suicide methods a suicide method is any means by which a person may choose to end their lives. suicide attempts do not always result in death, and a non-fatal suicide attempt can leave the person with serious physical injuries, long-term health problems, and brain damage. for information on methods of suicide intervention, see suicide prevention. le suicidé (the suicide) by édouard manet, depicting suicide by gunshot suicide social aspects altruistic copycat epidemic legislation philosophy religious views right to die voluntary euthanasia crisis assessment of risk crisis hotline (list) intervention prevention suicide watch types assisted bullying and suicide (list) copycat familicide forced honor jauhar mass murder–suicide prisoner suicide pact internet prayopavesa sallekhana sati self-sacrifice senicide seppuku sokushinbutsu suicide attack vatakkiruttal epidemiology gender differences methods rate by country youth suicide among lgbt youth history list of suicides suicide in antiquity list of suicides in the 21st century in warfare banzai charge kamikaze suicide mission related phenomena suicide attempt locations ideation major depressive disorder non-suicidal self-injury suicide note suicide terminology by country rate by country australia bangladesh cameroon canada china france greenland india iran ireland japan lithuania nepal pakistan romania russia singapore south korea spain sri lanka sweden switzerland ukraine united kingdom united states organizations compassion & choices death with dignity national center dignitas exit international final exit network hemlock society worldwide, three suicide methods predominate with the pattern varying in different countries. these are hanging, poisoning by pesticides, and firearms. some suicides are impulse decisions that may be preventable by removing the means. making common suicide methods less accessible leads to an overall reduction in the number of suicides. some ways to do this include restricting access to pesticides, firearms, and known-used drugs. other important measures are the introduction of policies that address the misuse of alcohol and the treatment of mental disorders. gun-control measures in a number of countries have seen a reduction in suicides and other gun-related deaths. purpose of study the study of suicide methods aims to identify those commonly used, and the groups at risk of suicide; making methods less accessible may be useful in suicide prevention. limiting the availability of means such as pesticides and firearms is recommended by a world health report on suicide and its prevention. the early identification of mental disorders and substance abuse disorders, follow-up care for those who have attempted suicide, and responsible reporting by the media are all seen to be key in reducing the number of deaths by suicide. national suicide prevention strategies are also advocated using a comprehensive and coordinated response to suicide prevention. this needs to include the registration and monitoring of suicides and attempted suicide, breaking figures down by age, sex, and method. such information allows public health resources to focus on the problems that are relevant in a particular place, or for a given population or subpopulation. for instance, if firearms are used in a significant number of suicides in one place, then public health policies there could focus on gun safety, such as keeping guns locked away, and the key inaccessible to at-risk family members. if young people are found to be at increased risk of suicide by overdosing on particular medications, then an alternative class of medication may be prescribed instead, a safety plan and monitoring of medication can be put in place, and parents can be educated about how to prevent the hoarding of medication for a future suicide attempt. media reporting media reporting of the methods used in suicides is "strongly discouraged" by the world health organization, government health agencies, universities, and the associated press among others. detailed descriptions of suicides or the personal characteristics of the person who died contribute to copycat suicides (suicide contagion). dramatic or inappropriate descriptions of individual suicides by mass media has been linked specifically to copycat suicides among teenagers. writing for the new yorker about celebrity suicides, andrew solomon wrote that "you who are reading this are at statistically increased risk of suicide right now." in one study, changes in how news outlets reported suicide reduced suicides by a particular method. media reporting guidelines also apply to "online content including citizen-generated media coverage". the recommendations for reporting on suicide, created by journalists, suicide prevention groups, and internet safety non-profit organizations, encourage linking to resources such as a list of suicide crisis lines and information about risk factors for suicide, and reporting on suicide as a multi-faceted, treatable health issue. method restriction