Suicide is the leading cause of death in the United States, with 37,500 suicides recorded in 2010. A person in America commits suicide, on average, every 13 minutes. Suicide can be prevented. People who are contemplating suicide often show signs that they are aware of the risks before attempting it, and these pointers will help you recognize the signs of suicide and try to prevent it. If you or someone you know looks suicidal, or is attempting suicide, it's important to get that person to a hospital immediately.
- If you are in Indonesia, you can call the HOTLINE line 500-454 for counseling on various psychological problems, including suicidal ideation.
- If you are in the US, you can call 911 for an emergency call or reach the suicide hotline by calling 800-SUICIDE (800-784-2433) or 800-273-TALK(800-273-8255)., dial 999 for emergency calls or 08.457 90 90 90 to reach the suicide hotline.
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Part 1 of 6: Recognizing Mental and Emotional Warning Signs
Step 1. Recognize suicidal thoughts
There are several mindsets that often arise among those who attempt suicide. If someone tells you that they are experiencing one or more of these problems, this may need to be taken seriously again. For example:
- Individuals who are suicidal often think obsessively, unable to stop thinking about suicide.
- Individuals who are suicidal often believe that there is no hope for them, and that there is no way to end their pain other than suicide.
- People who are suicidal often assume that life is meaningless, or believe that they have no control over their lives.
- Individuals who are suicidal often describe the sensation that their brain is in a fog, or have difficulty concentrating.
Step 2. Recognize the emotion of suicidal ideation
People who are suicidal are often disturbed in their emotional state which can cause them to act drastically. As an example:
- Suicidal people often suffer from extreme mood swings.
- Individuals who are suicidal often experience extreme anger, or feelings of resentment.
- People who are suicidal often have high levels of anxiety. They are also often angry.
- Suicidal people often experience strong feelings of guilt or shame, or perceive that they are a burden to others.
- Suicidal people often experience feelings of loneliness or isolation, even when among other people, and may also show signs of shame or humiliation.
Step 3. Recognize verbal warnings
There are many verbal clues that may indicate that a person may be experiencing any of the above and may be planning to commit suicide. For example, if someone talks a lot about death, this can be a warning sign if it's something that person doesn't normally do. There are also many other verbal cues to pay attention to, such as the person making one of the statements below.
- "There's no point in it," "Life isn't worth living," or "It means nothing anymore."
- "They won't hurt me anymore because I'm not around."
- "They'll miss me when I'm gone," or "You'll regret it when I'm gone."
- "I can't stand the pain," or "I can't do it anymore – life is too hard."
- "I'm so lonely I wish I could die."
- "You/family/my friends/my boyfriend would be better off without me."
- "Next time I'll use enough pills to get it right."
- "Don't worry, I won't be here when it comes to that."
- "I won't bother you any longer."
- "No one understands me - no one feels what I feel."
- "I feel like there's no way out," or "There's nothing I can do to make it better."
- "I'd rather die," or "If only I had never been born."
Step 4. Watch out for sudden mood swings
Keep in mind that the highest potential for suicide is not necessarily when someone is at their worst, but perhaps even when they seem to be getting better.
- A sudden improvement in mood can indicate that the person is convinced and accepted by the decision to end their life, and may even have plans to do so.
- Therefore, if a person has been showing signs of depression or suicidal ideation and suddenly seems much happier, you should take preventative steps as soon as possible.
Part 2 of 6: Recognizing Behavior As a Warning Sign
Step 1. Look for signs "solved all problems
People who are planning to kill themselves can take steps to get things done before they kill themselves. This is a big warning sign, as someone who is solving all of their problems may have plans of suicide. Someone who is suicidal can do the following:
- Give away their precious treasure.
- Managing his finances, like suddenly writing a will.
- Say goodbye to loved ones. A person contemplating suicide may suddenly say goodbye at an unusual time.
Step 2. Watch for dangerous and reckless behavior
Because suicidal people feel there is no reason to live, they may take risks that could lead to death, such as reckless driving. Here are some potential signs to watch for:
- Excessive use of drugs (legal or illegal) and alcohol.
- Reckless driving, such as driving too fast or when drunk.
- Unsafe sex, usually with several people.
Step 3. Look for ways to kill yourself
Find out if the person recently bought a gun, or may be stockpiling legal or illegal pills.
If someone seems to be gathering medicine or buying a new weapon out of the blue, it's imperative to act quickly. Once their plan was thought through, they could kill themselves whenever they wanted
Step 4. Realize the lack of social life
Avoiding friends, family, or coworkers is common among suicidal people, who often quietly withdraw from everyday social interactions.
Take action, not just listen to people say "I just want to be alone."
Step 5. Watch for any extreme changes in routine
If someone suddenly stops visiting weekly basketball games or their favorite team's game night, this could be a warning sign.
Not wanting to go out or take part in activities they normally enjoy could indicate that a person is feeling unhappy, depressed, or perhaps suicidal
Step 6. Watch for any unusual lethargic behavior
Individuals who are suicidal and depressed often have little energy for basic mental and physical tasks. In particular, be aware of:
- Unusual difficulty making ordinary decisions.
- Loss of interest in sex.
- Lack of energy, just want to sleep all day.
Step 7. Watch for warning signs in your teens
If the person is a teenager, watch for additional warning signs and possible triggers for teens. Example:
- This teen is in trouble with the family or the law.
- Life circumstances such as a breakup, not getting into the college of their choice, or losing a close friend.
- Lack of friends, difficulty in social situations, or withdrawal from close friends.
- Self-care problems, such as under-eating or overeating, hygiene problems such as infrequent bathing, or a lack of concern for appearance (for example, a teenager who suddenly stops wearing makeup or dressing well).
- Draw or paint a death scene.
- Sudden changes in their normal behavior such as a drastic drop in grades, drastic personality changes, or rebellious actions can also be warning signs.
- Eating disorder conditions such as anorexia or bulimia can also lead to depression, anxiety, and even suicide. A child or teenager who is bullied or bullied frequently may also be at a higher risk of suicide.
Part 3 of 6: Recognizing Suicide Risk Factors
Step 1. Consider your curriculum vitae and current circumstances
Individual experiences, both recent and past, can also make a person more likely to attempt suicide.
- The death of a loved one, loss of a job, serious illness (especially one involving chronic pain), constant bullying from others, and other highly stressful life events can all be triggers for suicide and risk making a person suicidal.
- Pay particular attention if someone has attempted suicide before. A person who has previously attempted suicide is likely to try again. In fact, one-fifth of people who die by suicide have made this attempt before.
- A history of physical or sexual violence also puts a person at a higher risk for suicide.
Step 2. Pay attention to a person's mental health
Having a mental health disorder, such as bipolar disorder, major depression, or schizophrenia, or if you have a history of these disorders, is a major risk factor. In fact, 90 percent of suicides are linked to depression or another mental illness, and 66 percent of people who think seriously about suicide have some sort of mental disorder.
- Disorders characterized by anxiety or agitation (eg, post-traumatic stress disorder) and a lack of self-control (eg, bipolar disorder, behavioral disorders, substance disorders) are the most likely risk factors for planning suicide and attempting suicide.
- Symptoms of mental illness that increase the risk of suicide include high anxiety, panic attacks, hopelessness, feeling that you are just a burden, loss of interest and joy, and delusional thoughts.
- Although the statistical relationship between suicide and depression is complex, the vast majority of people who die by suicide have major depression.
- People with more than one mental health problem are at very high risk for suicide. If you have two mental disorders, you almost double the risk for suicide, and if you have three mental disorders almost triple the risk for suicide when compared to people with one mental disorder.
Step 3. Investigate a family history of suicide
Scientists aren't sure whether the primary cause is environmental, hereditary, or a combination of both, but suicide seems to run in families.
At least some research suggests there is a genetic cause for this relationship, so even if a person was not raised by their biological parents, this could be a risk factor. Environmental influences in one's family life can also be a risk
Step 4. Pay attention to the demographics of suicide
While anyone can be suicidal, according to statistics, some social groups have higher rates of suicide than others. If someone you know may be at risk, consider the following:
- Men are more likely to commit suicide. For each age group and ethnicity, the suicide rate for men was four times the rate for women. In fact, men account for 79% of all suicides.
- Regardless of gender, LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) individuals are four times more likely to commit suicide.
- Older people are more likely to commit suicide than young people. People between the ages of 45 and 59 had the highest suicide rate, and people older than 74 had the second highest rate of suicide.
- Native Americans and Caucasians (whites) are also statistically more likely to commit suicide than other ethnic groups.
- This trend doesn't mean you shouldn't worry about someone who doesn't fall into one of these high-risk groups. If the person you are concerned about is showing signs of suicidal ideation, regardless of gender or age, take their situation seriously. However, if a person is part of one of these groups, their risk may be higher.
Part 4 of 6: Talking to Suicidal People
Step 1. Be appropriate
If someone you know is showing signs of suicidal ideation, one of the most important things you can do is talk to that person about what you already know in a loving and nonjudgmental way.
Be a good listener. Maintain eye contact, pay attention, and respond in a gentle tone
Step 2. Raise the issue head-on
A good start is to say: "I've noticed you've been feeling really lethargic lately, and I'm very concerned. Are you contemplating suicide?"
- If someone says yes, the next step is to ask: "Do you have any plans to kill yourself?"
- If they say yes, 'call 911 immediately!' A person who has a plan needs to get help right away. Stay with the person until help arrives.
Step 3. Avoid making the situation worse
There are some things that might seem helpful to say, but can increase the guilt or shame of the suicidal person. For example, avoid talking like this:
- “Tomorrow is another day. Everything will look better tomorrow."
- “Your situation can always get worse. You should feel lucky for everything you have."
- “You have so much to look forward to/You have everything good for you."
- " Do not worry. Everything/you will be fine."
Step 4. Avoid making statements that seem disparaging
Some types of comments can convey the idea that you don't take the other person's feelings seriously. Avoid words like these:
- "Your situation is not so bad."
- "You wouldn't dare hurt yourself."
- "I've had it too, and I got through it."
Step 5. Don't keep it a secret
If someone confesses to you that they want to kill themselves, don't agree to keep it a secret.
This person needs help as soon as possible. Keeping it a secret will only delay the help needed
Part 5 of 6: Measures to Prevent People from Suicide
Step 1. Call 911
If you believe someone is about to kill themselves, call 911 immediately.
Step 2. Call the suicide hotline
Suicide hotlines aren't just for people who are suicidal. They also provide assistance to people trying to prevent others from committing suicide.
- Even if you just need to know what to do, a suicide hotline can help. They can talk to you about your current situation or direct you to take further, more serious action. They also connect with doctors and counselors across the nation.
- In the US, you can call 800-SUICIDE (800-784-2433) or 800-273-TALK (800-273-8255)
- In the UK, dial 08457 90 90 90.
Step 3. Refer the suicidal person to professional help
Make sure the person sees a mental health professional as soon as possible. The suicide hotline number given above can refer you to a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist, or you can find someone online who is an expert in this area.
- By accompanying the person and inviting them to see professional help, you can avoid suicide and save someone.
- Don't waste time. Sometimes the time to prevent someone from committing suicide is only a matter of days or even hours, so the sooner this person can get the help they need, the better.
Step 4. Tell family members
It may be helpful to contact the parents, guardians, or loved ones of the suicidal person.
- This can reduce the pressure on you, as they can be involved in trying to stop this person from committing suicide.
- Getting these people involved can also help the suicidal person see that other people care about them.
Step 5. Throw away the suicide device
If possible, remove any lethal objects from the person's home. This includes firearms, drugs, or other weapons or poisons.
- Discard completely. People can kill themselves with many things that you don't think can be used for suicide
- Products such as rat poison, cleaning products, and even common tableware can be used in a suicide attempt.
- About 25 percent of all suicides are committed by suffocation. Usually, like hanging himself. So make sure to throw away items like ties, belts, straps, and bed sheets.
- Let the person know you will keep the items until they feel better.
Step 6. Continue to offer support
Even after the danger has passed, stay involved with the person. A person who is depressed or feeling isolated is unlikely to ask for help, so you need to stay close to that person. Call, visit, and follow up with the person, often finding out how he's doing. Here is another way you can do it:
- Make sure the person goes to their therapy. Offer to walk the person there so you'll know for sure if he's following or not
- Make sure the person is taking any prescribed medication.
- Don't make him drink or use drugs. A person who is suicidal should not drink alcohol or use drugs.
- Help the person come up with a safety plan if he or she continues to have suicidal thoughts. These are some of the things a person can do to avoid suicide, such as calling a loved one, staying with a friend or even going to the hospital.
Part 6 of 6: Dealing With Your Own Suicidal Feelings
Step 1. Call 911
If you are experiencing suicidal feelings as described above and believe you are at risk of suicide in the near future (i.e. you have plans and means to implement them), call 911 immediately. You need emergency help.
Step 2. Call the suicide hotline
While you wait for the first responder to arrive, call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK. This will help pass the time and reduce the risk until help arrives.
Step 3. Meet with a mental health professional
If you have suicidal thoughts and feelings, but have no plans, make an appointment with a therapist or counselor.
If your situation worsens while you wait for your appointment and you make a suicide plan, call 911
Tips
- Don't wait for someone to come up to you and say "I want to kill myself." Many people who plan to commit suicide never tell anyone what they are planning. If someone you know is showing warning signs, don't wait until things get worse before seeking help.
- Others may only show a few minor signs. Therefore, it is important to be very aware of people who are at risk for suicide, such as people who have recently experienced extreme trauma, people with substance abuse problems, and people with a history of mental illness, so that you can know the signs they are showing.
- Keep in mind that not all people who commit suicide show obvious signs. In fact, about 25 percent of suicide victims may show no significant signs at all.
Warning
- Don't try to do this without help. If someone you know is suicidal, don't try to deal with this person's problems alone. This person needs professional help
- If you've done everything you can, but the person is still adamant about pursuing a suicide plan, it's important not to blame yourself.
