SUICIDE: WARNING SIGNS AND ACTION TO PREVENT
Warning Signs
Recognizing the signs of depression and possible suicide risks is an important aspect of prevention. Although predicting suicide is difficult, it is not impossible. Common signs include the following:
- Recent loss and a seeming inability to let go of grief
- Change in personality – sadness, withdrawal, irritability, anxiety, tiredness, indecisiveness, apathy
- Change in behavior – inability to concentrate, loss of interest in classes
- Diminished sexual interest – impotence, menstrual abnormalities
- Expressions of self-hatred
- Change in sleep patterns
- Change in eating habits
- A direct statement about committing suicide, such as “I might as well end it all”
- An indirect statement about committing suicide, such as “You won’t have to worry about me anymore”
- “Final preparations,” such as writing a will, repairing poor relationships with family or friends, giving away prized possessions, or writing revealing letters
- A preoccupation with themes of death
- A sudden and unexplained demonstration of happiness following a period of depression
- Marked changes in personal appearance
- Excessive risk taking and an “I don’t care what happens to me” attitude
Taking Action to Prevent Suicide
Most people who attempt suicide really want to live, but see suicide as the only way out of an intolerable situation. Crisis counselors and suicide hotlines may be helpful temporarily, but the best way to prevent suicide is to get rid of conditions that may precipitate attempts, including alcoholism, drug abuse, loneliness, isolation, and access to guns
If someone you know threatens suicide or displays any of the typical warning signs, take the following actions:
- Monitor the warning signals. Try to keep an eye on the p son involved, or see that there is someone around the person as much as possible.
- Take any threats seriously. Don’t just brush them off.
- Let the person know how much you care about him or her. State that you are there if he or she needs help.
- Listen. Try not to be shocked by or to discredit what the person says to you. Empathize, sympathize, and keep the person talking. Talk about stressors and listen to the responses.
- Ask the person directly, “Are you thinking of hurting or killing yourself?”
- Do not belittle the person’s feelings or say that he or she doesn’t really mean it or couldn’t succeed at suicide. To some people, these comments offer the challenge of proving you wrong. – - Help the person think about other alternatives. Be ready to offer choices. Offer to go for help with the person. Call your local suicide hotline and use all available community and campus resources. Recommend a counselor or other person to talk to.
- Remember that your relationships with others involve responsibilities. If you need to stay with the person, take the person to a health care facility, or provide support, give of yourself and your time.
- Tell your friend’s spouse, partner, parents, brothers and sisters, or counselor. Do not keep your suspicions to yourself. Don’t let a suicidal friend talk you into keeping your discussions confidential. If your friend is successful in a suicide attempt, you will have to live with the consequences of your inaction.
*2/177/5*
