What To Do If Someone You Know Is Suicidal

Suicide rates keep climbing every year, among adults and among teens or youths. Half of those who commit suicide are men, between the ages of 25 and 65. 50% of suicides are done using a firearm. Depression is one of the biggest factors in why someone commits suicide. Teen girls are 3 to 4 times as likely to make the attempt. With education, conversation, things like a top suicide prevention charity that can offer resources, and treatment options, suicide prevention is more likely.

Signs someone needs help

There are a number of signs to help identify whether a youth is in need of youth suicide prevention. They include;

1. Talking about suicide, thinking about suicide, wanting to commit suicide.
2. Expressing a lot of anger.
3. Giving away what were once important items and belongings.
4. Abusing alcohol and/or drugs.
5. Feeling hopeless about things in general. Possibly also feelings of helplessness.
6. Withdrawing from people, peers, and family, giving up activities they used to enjoy.
7. Obtaining methods to commit suicide, often firearms, but it could be by other means.
8. Expressing feelings of being trapped and needing to escape.
9. Becoming very reckless, even more than normal, or out of the blue reckless and dangerous actions.
10. Having a lack of purpose.
11. Dramatic mood changes.
12. Preoccupation with death.
13. Having anxiety attacks or feeling more anxious than normal.
14. Having no interest in topics they were once keen to talk about.
15. Having physical problems such as sleeping too much or not enough, having chronic pain.

Questions to ask and what to do

If you are concerned, seeing warning signs, or maybe the person has expressed directly to you that they think of committing suicide but have asked you not to tell anyone, then you need first tell them they can talk to you, and secondly tell them you cannot promise not to tell. If it comes down to their life or breaking their trust, then their life comes first every time. You should ask questions but keep them non-judgemental and avoid being confrontational. Also, avoid asking questions that are vague. Be direct. Do you have a suicide plan? When are you going to do it? Do you feel so bad that suicide seems like an answer? Get in touch with a suicide prevention charity for resources. Call a professional immediately and if the danger is immediate, go to the closest emergency room.

Conclusion

It is important that every attempt is treated seriously, that feelings are not dismissed, and that a person in mental pain is not ignored, brushed off or ridiculed even. It is also not going to help to make them feel shame or guilt. Listen, reassure them, and keep reminding them help is out there and that they are treatable. Youth suicide prevention will be more successful as a result. Treatment comes in a lot of different forms nowadays, medications, various therapies and established methods to help people. There is no one answer for everyone and a skilled professional is the best person to assess what might best help them.