Suicide Prevention
Suicide is the purposeful taking of one’s own life. There are over 40,000 completed suicides in the United States each year. To put that number in perspective, 40,000 people would fill a VERY large sports arena, and is the population of an average American town. Suicide is completed by males three times as often as females, but attempted by females three times as often as males.
It is both a sad and encouraging fact that many suicides could have been (can be) prevented. Numerous studies reveal that people who commit suicide usually show clear signs of their intent beforehand, either in significant changes in behavior, previous attempts, or by actually expressing intentions of “ending it all.” Because of these facts, it is clear that any expression of suicidal thoughts or actions should be taken seriously.
The vast majority of individuals who complete suicide do NOT actually want to die. What they an end to their pain, suffering, sadness, loss and despair. Although suicide occurs among all ages, cultures, and levels of income, there are some known risk groups in which suicide is more prevalent. This includes: elderly, teens, college student. Reasons given for suicide: depression, poor health, loss of income, loss of loved ones, failure, pressure to succeed, guilt, and revenge.
Danger Signs
Previous attempts at self harm
Verbal threats of suicide
Unusual changes in behavior
Sudden use of drugs
Unusual or extreme purchases
Giving away possessions
Sudden anger
Constant themes of death
Sudden happiness (after intense sadness)
Verbalizing despair, intense grief, or depression
MYTH
People who say they are going to kill themselves are not really serious.
MYTH
Many people who have committed suicide have given clear signs of their intent beforehand.
MYTH
Talking about suicide with someone may make them do it.
MYTH
Someone who has their act together isn’t at risk of suicide.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU WANT TO HELP SOMEONE WHO IS CONTEMPLATING SUICIDE:
Listen Attentively
Tell the person you want to hear what they are thinking about, and what they are feeling. If you don’t know how to respond to what they say, just tell them “I really don’t know what to say, but I want to listen and help.” It’s OK not to have all the answers. It’s important that you listen.
Be direct & don’t give easy answers
Ask them, in a very straight forward manner, what is wrong. Why are they thinking about doing this? What are they going through? Who have they told? How have they tried to solve the problem? Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Stay calm & tell someone
Don’t yell at the person, put them down, or raise your voice. It’s OK to tell the person that you are nervous or scared about the things they are saying.
You MUST tell someone who can do something about the situation. Contact the person’s family, spouse, brother, sister, Priest, Rabbi, Pastor, the police, campus security, therapist, teacher, caretaker or anyone who can get help immediately. Tell the person that you will be there to help them call someone if they want to do it themselves.
Do not keep a secret & don’t feel responsible
Never tell the person that you are willing to “keep a secret”. You will NOT be helping the person unless you tell someone who can help (see previous item). If the worst should happen at some later time, even after you have tried the suggestions above, don’t feel responsible. You DID help the person, but the difficulties were beyond what you could possibly have prevented in the short time involved. You did not fail in helping.