Do genetics influence the risk of suicide?

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (Ivanhoe Newswire) – More than 49,000 people will die from suicide this year. The number of people dying by suicide was a record high in 2023, and officials don’t believe the numbers in 2024 will be any better. The reasons why people decide to take their own life are widespread, including trauma, stress, loneliness and even genetics. Researchers are working to identify the people who are most at risk before something terrible happens.

The memory of her uncle brings a smile to Alexis Callor’s face, even though she is still recovering from his death by suicide 10 years ago.

Alexis says, “It’s like you don’t expect this to happen. It was a big surprise and so shocking.”

What’s even more shocking is that a few years later she lost her second cousin to suicide and then her aunt committed suicide. Alexis’ mom Katie began to wonder if genetics were to blame.

“I’m very scared for my children,” says Katie.

University of Utah psychiatrist Hillary Kuhn is part of an international study that has identified 12 DNA variations associated with suicide attempts. Studying more than 1.3 million cases, researchers found links between mental and physical health factors, including impulsivity, smoking, chronic pain, ADHD, pulmonary disease and heart disease.

“Some of them actually end up in gene pathways that are related to how the brain works, how synapses fire and how neurons develop,” Kuhn explains.

Professor Kuhn emphasizes that no gene causes suicide. Rather, it is the cumulative effect of many different genes.

And by knowing whether genes play a role, researchers hope that treatment can begin before tragedy strikes…

Katie says: “It’s very scary to think about every day that something like this could potentially happen.”

“I also constantly struggled with my mental health. And the only thing that kept me going was that I knew what it was like on the other side. So I need to continue to take care of my family,” Alexis explained.

While more research into genetics is being conducted, the United States aims to reduce suicide rates by 20 percent in the next few years by focusing on local programs that help at-risk people and limit access to things that can be used to harm themselves. for example, firearms. If you need help, call the National Suicide and Crisis Line on 988.

Contributors to this news report include: Marsha Lewis, producer; Roque Correa, editor; Matt Goldschmidt, videographer.