Risk factors include a history of suicide attempts and mental disorders; for a more comprehensive list, see Method 3: “Understanding Suicide Trends. " Protective factors include clinical treatment, family and community support, support from healthcare professionals, and development of problem solving and conflict resolution skills. [7] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source
You can ask questions like: “How did you learn so much about (fill in the blank)?” “Can you tell me more about that?” “I love your personal style; how do you decide what to wear? Do you have any fashion advice for me?” “I watched the movie you recommended and really enjoyed it. Do you have any other recommendations?” “What is your favorite movie? Why is it your favorite?” “What hobby or activity could you spend your whole life doing?”
Ask the person to teach you something, like how to cook a favorite recipe or how to knit or play a favorite card game. If the person has health or transportation issues, offer to drive them somewhere or bring them a home cooked meal. Express interest in the person’s life or ask for advice dealing with a problem. You could ask questions like: “What was your life like when you were a teenager?” “What is your favorite memory?” “What is the biggest change you’ve seen in the world during your life?” “How would you support someone who is being bullied?” “How did you deal with being overwhelmed as a parent?”
For example, during an anti-suicide project on a Native American Indian reservation with a high suicide rate, several eighth-graders admitted to actively planning suicides until they participated in open discussions about suicide. These open discussions violated cultural taboos, but they resulted in each of the participants choosing life and signing a pledge to avoid suicide.
Minimize possible distractions by turning off electronics, silencing phones, and arranging for roommates, children, or other people to be occupied safely somewhere else.
It is easy to become frustrated when speaking to someone in crisis who isn’t thinking clearly, so remind yourself to remain calm and supportive. [15] X Trustworthy Source National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Suicide prevention network operating a toll-free 24/7 hotline for anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts or emotional distress Go to source The best way to be open is to not have any prepared responses for your loved one. Ask a few open questions like “how are you feeling?” or “what is upsetting you” and let them speak. Do not try to argue with them or convince them that things aren’t really that bad.
For example, “Amy, you and I have been friends for 3 years. Lately, you’ve seemed depressed, and you’re drinking more. I’m very worried about you, and I’m worried that you may have been thinking about suicide. ” For example, “Son, when you were born, I promised I’d always be here for you. You’re not eating or sleeping like you normally do, and I’ve heard you crying several times. I would do anything to not lose you. Are you thinking about killing yourself?” For example, “You’ve always been such a great role model. But you recently made a comment about hurting yourself. You are very special to me. If you are suicidal, please talk to me about it. ”
For example, if someone tells you that they are contemplating suicide because their beloved pet just died, it is not helpful to tell them that they are overreacting. If they say that they have just lost their one true love, don’t tell them they’re too young to understand love or that there are other fish in the sea.
Don’t be surprised if they reject the idea of calling the lifeline, but write the number down for them or program it into their phone so that they can call it if they have a change of heart. If you think they would be more comfortable texting someone, encourage them to send a message to the Crisis Text Line. If you live in the US, the number is 741741, 686868 if you live in Canada, and 85258 if you live in the UK. For more information, visit https://www. crisistextline. org.
If the person has gone far enough in their suicidal thoughts to make a plan, it is very important that you get them help.
That promise may be enough to make them stop and get help before taking an action that is irreversible.
Most men who take their lives choose guns to harm themselves, while women are more likely to poison themselves with drugs or toxic chemicals. [23] X Research source Suicide Facts At A Glance, by National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Division of Violence Prevention. (CDC, 2012) Remove the person’s access to firearms, medications, toxic chemicals, belts, ropes, very sharp knives or scissors, cutting tools like saws, and/or any other items that may facilitate a suicide. [24] X Research source Preventing Suicide: A Global Perspective, by World Health Organization (2014) Your goal in removing the means of suicide is to slow down the suicide process so that the person has time to calm themselves down and choose to live.
the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 the Crisis text Line at 741741 if you’d prefer to send a message a school counselor or spiritual leader such as a priest, pastor, or rabbi the person in crisis’s doctor 9-1-1 (if you feel the person is in immediate danger)
Suicide is a worldwide problem;[27] X Research source Preventing Suicide: A Global Perspective, by World Health Organization (2014) in the year 2012 alone, around 804,000 people ended their own lives. [28] X Research source Preventing Suicide: A Global Perspective, by World Health Organization (2014) In the US, suicide is a leading cause of death,[29] X Research source Suicide Facts At A Glance, by National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Division of Violence Prevention. (CDC, 2012) with a suicide occurring around every 5 minutes. In the year 2012, there were over 43,300 suicide deaths in the US. [30] X Research source Preventing Suicide: A Global Perspective, by World Health Organization (2014)
Stressful events which trigger sadness or depression Suicidal thoughts in which the individual questions whether to continue living Making plans to attempt suicide in a specific way Suicidal preparation, which can include gathering the means to take their own life and giving away possessions to loved ones Suicide attempt in which an individual tries to end their own life
People having suicidal thoughts seek to end the pain of a (temporary) situation with a (permanent, irreversible) solution. Some people even believe the fact that they feel suicidal means that they are crazy, and if they’re crazy, they might as well take their own life. This is untrue on two levels. First, people without mental illness can contemplate suicide. Second, those who do suffer from mental illness are still worthwhile individuals with a lot to offer.
In a recent study, 8. 3 million American adults admitted contemplating suicide the previous year. 2. 2 million made plans for a suicide attempt, and 1 million unsuccessfully tried to die by suicide. [37] X Research source Suicide Facts At A Glance, by National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Division of Violence Prevention. (CDC, 2012) It is believed that for every successful adult suicide, there are 20 to 25 unsuccessful attempts. [38] X Research source Suicide Facts At A Glance, by National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Division of Violence Prevention. (CDC, 2012) In the 15-24 year-old age group, there are as many as 200 unsuccessful attempts for each successful suicide. More than 15% of American high school students surveyed admitted to contemplating suicide. 12% of those made a specific plan, and 8% attempted suicide. [39] X Research source Suicide Facts At A Glance, by National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Division of Violence Prevention. (CDC, 2012) These statistics suggest that if you suspect that someone is considering suicide, you’re likely to be correct; it’s best to assume you’re right and ask for help.
Some people are surprised to find that even children as young as 6 and elderly people who feel that they have become a burden to their families[41] X Research source Why People Suicide, by Dr. Thomas Joiner (Harvard University Press, 2007) sometimes take their own lives. Do not assume that only people who are mentally ill attempt suicide. The suicide rate is higher in those with mental illness, [42] X Research source Night Falls Fast: Understanding Suicide, by Dr. Kay Redfield Jamison (Vintage, 2000) but people without mental illness also choose to die by suicide. Additionally, people who do have a diagnosed mental illness may not share that information openly, so you may be unaware of someone’s mental illness.
Native Americans have higher suicide rates than other ethnic groups. [45] X Research source Suicide Fact Sheet A, by National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Division of Violence Prevention. (CDC, 2014) Adults under 30 tend to think about a plan for suicide more than adults over 30. [46] X Research source Suicide Fact Sheet A, by National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Division of Violence Prevention. (CDC, 2014) Among teenage girls, Hispanic girls have the highest rate of suicide attempts. [47] X Research source Suicide Facts At A Glance, by National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Division of Violence Prevention. (CDC, 2012)
have a history of suicide attempt(s) suffer from mental illness, often depression abuse alcohol or drugs, including prescription painkillers[50] X Research source Suicide Facts At A Glance, by National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Division of Violence Prevention. (CDC, 2012) have health problems or chronic pain have employment or financial problems feel as though they are alone or isolated and lack social support have relationship problems have family members who have died by suicide are victims of discrimination, violence, or abuse experience feelings of hopelessness
are desensitized to physical pain do not fear death
changes in sleeping or eating habits increased alcohol, drug, or painkiller usage inability to work, think clearly, or make decisions expression of feelings of extreme unhappiness[56] X Research source Preventing Suicide: A Global Perspective, by World Health Organization (2014) or depression expression of feelings of isolation or the impression that no one notices or cares about them sharing feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, or lack of control complaints of pain and an inability to visualize a pain-free future threats of self-harm giving away valuable or cherished possessions[57] X Trustworthy Source Johns Hopkins Medicine Official resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins Hospital Go to source a sudden period of happiness or surge of energy after a long stretch of depression[58] X Trustworthy Source Johns Hopkins Medicine Official resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins Hospital Go to source
