• Major depression is the psychiatric diagnosis most commonly associated with suicide
  
• About 2/3 of people who complete suicide are depressed at the time of their deaths
  
• One out of every 16 people who are diagnosed with depression eventually go on to end their lives through suicide
  
• The risk of suicide in people with major depression is about 20 times that of the general population
  
• People who have had multiple espisodes of depression are at greater risk for suicide than those who have had one episode
  
• People who have a dependence on alcohol or drugs in addition to being depressed are at greater risk for suicide
  
• People who are depressed and exhibit the following symptoms are at particular risk for suicide:

1. Extreme hopelessness
2. A lack of interest in activities that were previously pleasurable
3. Heightened anxiety and/or panic attacks
4. Global insomnia
5. Talk about suicide or a prior history of attempts/acts
6. Irritability and agitation

Reference: American Association of Suicidology, Public Service Announcement for the Year 2001.