Suicide Prevention: Do You Know Someone Who Needs Help?

The longstanding stigma around mental health can make it difficult to ask for help. If you know anyone who has had suicidal thoughts, they might feel isolated and alone, like there is no one to turn to. Asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness. A therapist can help to recognize the causes of depression and help someone who is suffering get through it. Here are some other tips from Fire In Me to help you or your loved one get the help they need and deserve.

Warning Signs

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, if you know someone who may be having suicidal thoughts and experiencing these signs, encourage them to talk to a friend, pastor, doctor, or mental health professional. Someone may be at risk for suicide if they:

See no reason for living or no purpose in life.
Feel trapped in a sad or stressful situation with no way out.
Feel hopeless.
Have extreme mood swings.
Have become withdrawn from friends, family, and social circles.
Have increased the use of alcohol or drugs.
Talk about or threaten to hurt oneself or kill oneself.
Post on discussion boards, social media or blogs about death, dying, or suicide.
Participate in risky activities without thinking before acting.
Feel out of control, angry, or are seeking revenge.

Ideation = Time for Action

Suicidal ideation is common in people suffering from a mental health disorder. And it becomes compounded when alcohol or drugs are used to deal with the underlying mental issue. Alcohol and substance abuse contribute to suicidal behavior in many ways, including heightened depression, social life challenges, financial problems or problems caused by acting impulsively. If these situations sound familiar, it might be time to encourage them to seek help. If you know someone who may be nervous or worried about getting help, recommend these simple approaches:

Encourage them to make an appointment with a therapist. These days, finding online therapists can be done in moments, and that allows you the benefit of pursuing your own mental wellness from the safety and privacy of your own home.
In-person counseling is available as well. Counseling is often covered by insurance, but there are also low cost options. Local colleges and universities that train therapists often offer counseling on a sliding scale or payment plan.
Encourage them to talk to someone they trust— or call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.
Get them to recognize that there are other options, even if it doesn’t feel like it. Suicidal thoughts are almost always temporary. If they can get help, they can often move past the lows and work toward getting back to normal.
Recommend that they make the home more safe. If there’s a gun, have someone take it for a while. Get rid of any chemicals or medicines that could be used to harm themselves.
If it gets really bad, encourage them to go to the emergency room.
Recommend a support group meeting. They don’t have to talk or share anything they don’t want to, but being around people in similar circumstances can help them feel more comfortable asking for help. Just being around others who understand can reduce feelings of hopelessness or being trapped.

The Old and the Young

The elderly are especially at risk for suicide, even if they’d never been suicidal when they were younger, because they tend to live more isolated lives, and they’ve likely had more people close to them die. If you know someone older who may be at risk, reach out and talk. Sometimes pulling out of depression starts with an exercise routine, yoga, meditation, or a weekly get-together to look forward to.

Among teens, suicide is the second-leading cause of death. The teenage years, with the transition from childhood to adulthood can be really difficult. Be on the lookout for any of the teens in your life who may be in need of help.

Therea are times when some may feel that suicide is the only option, but help is available. Take a moment to recognize the signs, and don’t hesitate to reach out. A helping hand can make all the difference.

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Shirley Martin

Author's Corner

Shirley Martin is the main writer and owner of the home cleaning and organizing blog site – Tidy Life Today (www.tidylifetoday.com/). She also, write prolific guests posts in some other blogs, including Fire In Me. Check out more of her entries!