Are you worried that someone you love is thinking about suicide? Do you suspect that a friend of yours is having thoughts about suicide? Do you know someone who is having a hard time coping with suicide? Hopefully, after reading this article, you should be able to deal with the situation properly.
1. How can you tell if a person is having suicidal thoughts?
A huge percentage of people who attempt or think about suicide show warning signs to those they spend most of their time with. However, their actions don’t always suggest a plea for help. Some of the signs you need to watch out for are:
- Random talks about dying
- Joking about giving away valuable possessions
- Writing a will
- Being persistently depressed for weeks
- Isolation
- The lack of interest
- Oversleeping
- Impulsive behaviours
- Hopelessness and helplessness
- Low self-esteem
- Talking about being a burden to other people
- Increased alcohol or drug intake
2. If a person talks about suicide, is it only a ploy to get your attention?
Talks about suicide should be taken seriously. According to research, these discussions are a suicidal person’s cry for help. If we don’t pay attention to them, the worst may happen.
3. If a person attempts suicide, but does not die, is he/she only seeking attention?
In general, suicide attempts are cries for help by suicidal individuals who feel a high degree of desperation and depression. That said, it is important to treat all these attempts seriously. Once an attempt is already done, it is likely that more attempts will take place in the future.
4. What should I do if someone tells me that he/she is having suicidal thoughts?
You can do something to prevent suicide. Often times, suicidal individuals have already tried looking for solutions. It’s just that they already felt hopeless, being unable to find solutions to their problems.
If somebody tells you that he/she is having suicidal thoughts, listen without judgments. Help him/her get a professional advice or treatment. If you think that this person is in imminent danger of inflicting harm to himself/herself, make sure you don’t leave him/her alone. Take emergency measures, such as calling the suicide prevention hotline.
5. Can you predict suicide?
At this point in time, there is no definite tool or technique that can detect or predict suicide behaviours. However, researchers have listed down a few indicators that may put an individual at risk. These indicators include the following:
- Previous suicide attempts
- Mental illness
- Sexual abuse
- Impulsive behaviours
- Aggressive tendencies
- Mood swings
6. Why does a person attempt to suicide?
Well, there is no definite answer to this question. Again, people suicide for varying reasons. It could be because they are suffering from a serious mental illness or they’ve had a substance abuse issue during their demise.
7. What is the most common suicide method?
One of the most common suicide methods is the use of firearms, accounting to over 50% of all the suicide cases. Another method, which is usually done by women, is self-poisoning.
Studies found that the presence of firearms or lethal weapons in homes can increase the risk for suicide. So, if you suspect that a family member is at risk for suicide, make sure that you get rid of all the firearms at home.
8. Is it true that men are more likely to suicide than women?
In general, men are more likely to commit suicide than women. One possible reason for this is that males tend to be more exposed to the use of lethal weapons. Then again, in places where lethal weapons are scarce, female suicides outnumber males.
9. Aside from counselling, what can we do to prevent suicide?
Yes, seeking counselling services can help. But if a suicidal person won’t listen, you might have to talk to someone who can influence him/her to go see a professional.
Always remember that saving a life is of utmost important that your ego and violating a confidence. A person who is determined to commit suicide only has a limited desire to live as it is overshadowed by thoughts of hopelessness. So, you should never give up on someone just because he/she said no. You can still do something.
10. Why do people avoid talks about depression and suicide?
The lack of understanding and stigma are the common reasons why these topics are often avoided. People who are suffering from depression will fear that others might think of them as crazy or a somewhat lesser person.
The good thing today is that the cultural norms are changing, and that more and more people are becoming more aware about these serious issues.
11. Can the suicidal behaviours be inherited?
There is growing evidence that genes have an impact on suicidal behaviours. Psychiatric illnesses, (depression, alcoholism, bipolar depression, and schizophrenia,) that runs in the family, may also increase suicidal behaviour risks.
Having a family history of suicidal behaviour, however, does not necessarily suggest being suicidal. It simply means that a person might be more vulnerable or more prone to committing suicide.
12. If a person who was previously suicidal feels better, does it mean he/she is no longer at risk for suicide?
Hopefully, if a person seems to be feeling better, he/she might no longer be having suicidal thoughts. But take note that an apparent change of mind could still suggest suicidal risks.
Sometimes, a suicidal individual might only feel temporary relief when he/she has come up with a decision. But still, the emotional conflict deep within still remains unresolved. The best way to know whether or not the person’s perspectives in life has changed is by direct discussion.
Should you wish to know more ways on how to cope with suicide, you may read books on suicidal behavior and the like. One we can recommend is Coping with Suicide by Christine J Howard. For serious matters or emergency situations, you can call the suicide prevention hotline. All calls are confidential and this service is available to everyone.