2044 Thread.. Gambling a major cause of suicides in hospitals: Study shows Poker machines are main culprit

www.newkerala.com


Sydney, May 16 (ANI):

A new study has revealed that gambling debts are one of the main reasons for people in hospitals to commit suicide. In fact one out of every six people who tries to harm himself, does so because of a gambling debt.

The study, which was conducted by Alison Penfold, a post graduation student at the University of Aukland, questioned 70 people who had tried to hurt themselves.

It was found that at least twelve people had done so because of gambling debts of which nine also had an alcohol problem.

Poker playing machines were found to be the main culprits. It was the most popular game for 86 per cent of the people who attended treatment for gambling.

"The prevalence of gambling in our communities has gone up enormously," said Penfold, who is also the director of counseling and training agency. "You can get into a lot of difficulty with gambling in such a short period of time and it's overwhelming to people," she further explained.

The study which was presented at a problem gambling session on May 13 is said to be the first to study the relationship between gambling and attempted suicide by patients who are already hospitalized. It will help doctors in preventing people from harming themselves.

Flawed study:

"It was found that at least twelve people had done so because of gambling debts of which nine also had an alcohol problem."

Alcohol a major cause of suicide in hospitals should be the headline.

Alcohol is present in 85% of completed suicides worldwide. Alcohol is found in 90% of all attempts. I worked in a County ER during college, not once do I remember ever seeing an attemped suicide that did not involve Alcohol.

If the gamblers in the study did not have alcohol on board the suicide rate would drop. Alcohol is the culprit not gambling.

>>A new study has revealed that gambling debts are one of the main reasons for people in hospitals to commit suicide.<<

People in Hospitals?

"Suicide is painless. It can bring on many changes."

Don't know about the painless part, pretty sure the changes part is accurate though.

http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/5314297282cd46dd94b560da7df30819/NV--Parking-Garage-Suicide/


Henderson man dies after jumping from casino parking garage
BY MIKE BLASKY
LAS VEGAS ***************
Posted: Jan. 9, 2012 | 3:42 p.m.
Updated: Jan. 10, 2012 | 2:44 a.m.
A man died Friday after jumping from a downtown casino parking garage, authorities said Monday.

Jaime Griffin, 31, of Henderson, died about 6:30 p.m. after he fell from the seventh floor of the parking garage at Binion's casino.

Las Vegas police spokesman Jacinto Rivera said detectives were investigating the case as a suicide.

Officers with the department's Crisis Intervention Team attempted to negotiate with the man shortly before he jumped, Rivera said.

The Clark County coroner's office will determine official cause of death.

Contact reporter Mike Blasky at mblasky@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0283.