When people feel overwhelmed by the challenges that life brings, they can become suicidal. They may feel that there is no hope for the future, and that suicide is the only solution to end the pain. Simply said, they may turn to suicide when all other options and solutions seem futile.

However, what is suicide? What triggers a person to commit it? Are there suicide prevention tips we can consider to prevent a person from committing suicide? How do we identify suicidal tendencies? We’ll answer these questions below.

What Is Suicide?

Suicide is not a serious mental illness. Instead, it is a potential consequence of certain life happenings, crisis, trauma, or mental disorders. According to statistics, suicide rates are high among the elderly, teens, and young adults.

What Triggers a Person to Commit Suicide?

Contrary to popular belief, suicide is not triggered by depression alone. There are many other risk factors that can contribute to the increased risk of suicidality. These risk factors include the following:

  • Difficult life events
  • Isolation
  • History of substance use
  • Mental illnesses
  • Physical or sexual abuse
  • Previous suicide attempts
  • Terminal or chronic illnesses

The Danger Signals of Suicidal Tendencies

Although talking about dying and suicide is an obvious signal, there are other signs that can imply risk. These signs can be in the forms of emotional, behavioural, and verbal clues.

The Emotional Signals

  • Depression
  • Irritability
  • Anxiety
  • Anger
  • The lack of interest in fun activities
  • Mood swings
  • Shame

The Behavioural Signals

  • Wanting to isolate from others
  • Not communicating with family or friends
  • Writing a will
  • Giving away important possessions
  • Reckless driving
  • Aggression
  • Increased dosage of drugs and alcohol
  • Gathering suicide materials (unprescribed medications or a weapon)
  • Internet searches about suicide

The Verbal Signals

  • Not wanting to exist
  • Feeling that life has no purpose
  • Feeling like a burden
  • Wanting to kill themselves

Suicide Prevention: What Can You Do?

If you know people who are showing any of these danger signals, know that you have the power to help them. Do not hesitate to be direct to the point when asking questions. Ask if they are planning to commit suicide or what. If the answer is a maybe or a yes, assist them in seeking immediate help. Let them know that books on suicidal behaviour exist and that there is a suicide prevention hotline that they can call.

Suicide can be prevented, and people who feel hopeless can still live normally. Though you can’t really control a person’s action, your intervening force is still very powerful.