Every year in the United States, over 40,000 people take their own lives. It is the 10th leading cause of death and in most cases, there were warning signs not acted upon by those who were close to the victim. Suicide prevention starts by seeing and understanding the warning signs, so steps can be taken to address the situation before it is too late.
Warning Signs
Although the signs and symptoms of someone contemplating suicide may vary from person to person, the overall pattern is similar. You will need to look for signs such as the following;
- Talking about Making Plans or Contemplating Suicide
- Talking about Feeling Guilty, Experiencing Great Shame, or Being a Burden to Others
- Searching for Methods of Killing Themselves
- Expressing Feelings of Having No Solutions
- Withdrawing from Social Interaction
- Unexpected Change in Habits, such as Eating or Sleeping
- Taking Unnecessary Risks
Some signs may be subtler in nature, such as mood swings, feeling anxious, or abusing alcohol or other drugs to a greater degree. Keep in mind that it’s not so much the increase, but the unexpected shift in the pattern of behavior that is a warning sign.
How to Help
If you notice one or more signs that something is wrong, you should take some sort of action early on. This is especially true if events in that person’s life, such as the loss of a loved one, puts them in a more likely position to kill themselves.
Ask if They Have Thoughts of Killing Themselves: This question may seem a little too straightforward, but it is effective in reaching out to someone who is having suicidal thoughts. At the very least, it does not increase the chances of them committing suicide.
Be with Them: The more you are present in their lives, the less likely they are to commit suicide. You need to listen to them, understand what they are feeling, and provide support. Talking about suicide may actually reduce their chances of acting upon their feelings.
Have Phone Numbers Handy: Have them connect with suicide prevention hotlines and talk to those trained in dealing with this condition. You’ll also want to recommend them to talk to a trust family member, friend, spiritual leader, or health professional.
While you do not have to be a private investigator, it does pay to try and learn the source of their feelings if it is related to a single event. This is especially true if they are taking medications for other mental challenges, such as depression. A change in their medication may have triggered a response which has led to them thinking about suicide. However, the most important thing you can do is be there and connect them to the professionals who can help.
Effective suicide prevention starts by paying attention to the warning signs and addressing them as quickly as possible. Not every life may be saved, but the number of people committing suicide can be reduced considerably when the warning signs are noticed and heeded.
