Suicide is often a taboo subject in society. It is a topic that isn’t spoken about openly or acknowledged to the extent that it should be. There is often shame attached to the families of individuals that commit suicide, and this makes the grieving process even more difficult than it already is. Understanding suicide is an important step in preventing it.
Suicide is defined as the intentional ending of one’s life. Startling figures from the World Health Organization show that suicide is the tenth leading cause of death worldwide, with one person committing suicide every 40 seconds.
Suicide Warning Signs
Most individuals that are struggling with suicidal thoughts will show signs or signals of their intentions. The best way to prevent suicide in a loved one is knowing how to recognize these signs and how to respond to them. It is important to provide alternative solutions to someone that is suicidal. A crucial role can be played in saving a life by providing support, showing care, and getting a medical professional involved.
Most people that have suicidal thoughts will talk about killing or harming themselves. They could also write or draw about death and seek out things that could be used as weapons, like guns, drugs, and ropes. Keep in mind that these signs are even more serious if the person in question suffers from a mental health disorder, has attempted suicide before, has a family history of suicide, or they have a substance abuse disorder.
Signs to Look Out for
Often, warning signs are subtle, but gradually increase and become more apparent. The individual may also exhibit classic signs of depression or other signs of a distressed, hopeless mental state. Often, these signs are paired with substance abuse and other self-harming behaviors.
These are just some of the signs that someone is having suicidal thoughts and how they might display them to those close to them:
- Talking about suicide: The phrases that someone with suicidal thoughts might say, include things like “If I see you again…”, “I wish I had never been born”, “Everyone would be better off if I was dead.”
- Seeking out ‘weapons’: People may seek out items that could be used in a suicide attempt, such as rope, guns, pills, knives, etc.
- Preoccupied with death: Writing poems or stories or making art about death.
- Hopelessness: A feeling that there is nothing left to live for. Feeling trapped and helpless and that things will never get better.
- Self-loathing: Suicidal people often feel shame, guilt, and worthlessness. This will often be displayed as thinking they are a burden on others.
- Getting everything in order: Giving away possessions, finishing up wills, ticking off bucket lists, and other odd, seemingly final behaviors.
- Saying goodbye: Making unusual or unexpected time for friends and family. Ending off the call or visit by saying goodbye like it will be permanent.
- Isolating: Withdrawing from loved ones and increased isolation.
- Destructive behaviors: Increased substance abuse, reckless driving, erratic and risky behavior, and placing themselves in dangerous situations.
- Sudden calmness: A sudden sense of calm and peacefulness after extreme depression could indicate that they have made the decision to commit suicide.
Prevention Tips
Tip 1: Speak Up It may feel uncomfortable to broach the subject with someone that is suspected of having suicidal thoughts, but the risk is worth it if it means saving a life. The best thing that one can do is ask the person whether or not they are okay, and if they need help.
Many people will feel relieved to have someone to talk to about their problems and loneliness. Being told that someone cares and that they are not alone can go a long way in preventing suicide.
Tip 2: Respond as Fast as Possible in a Crisis If a loved one has opened up about death or suicide, it’s essential that it is determined whether the person is in immediate danger of committing suicide or not. The people that are most at risk of committing suicide will already have a plan in place, the means to do it, and the intention to follow through.
If it is suspected that a person is going to attempt suicide soon, concerned parties should get help immediately in the form of a crisis center or medical facility. Any items that could be used in a suicide attempt need to be removed, and the suicidal person should not be left alone for any length of time.
