Suicide Awareness and Assessing Signs of Risk in Loved Ones
According to the CDC, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. Nearly 46,000 people died by suicide in 2020, which would equate to an average of 1 death every 11 minutes. But suicide can be preventable, and there are resources available to help.
On July 16th of this year, 988 became the nationwide suicide hotline number. All texts or calls made to 988 are directly rooted to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline where you will be supported and helped by trained mental health professionals.
YOU can also help!
Noticing signs of suicide:
If you hear or notice any of the following thoughts or behaviors in someone you know, they may be at risk for suicide.
Talking about wanting to die
“I just can’t take it anymore”
“I wish everything could end”
“I feel too much guilt or shame to continue on”
“I feel like a burden and people would be better off without me”
Expressing feelings surrounding:
Loneliness, feeling isolated and that there is no one to live for
Hopelessness, feeling like there is no “light at the end of the tunnel”
Trapped, feeling stuck in a difficult situation with no foreseeable way out
Sad, depressed, anxious feelings
Strong emotional or physical pain
Low self-esteem, feeling unworthy of love and connection
Behaviors:
Researching ways to die
Making a suicide plan
Purchasing lethal weapons (guns, knives, pills, rope)
Withdrawing from social circles and saying goodbye to loved ones
Giving away important keepsakes
Writing a will
Dangerous risk-taking behaviors, such as driving reckless
Exhibiting extreme mood swings
Eating and/or sleeping less
Increased substance use (drugs and/or alcohol)
Poor self-hygiene
The first step in being a helpful resource to someone who is struggling with suicidal thoughts is knowing and understanding the signs above. If you notice someone who is exhibiting any of these signs, it’s important to talk directly with them about it. It’s also important not to pass judgment or shame on the individual for having these thoughts.
When I work with clients who are struggling with suicidal ideation, I start by normalizing those thoughts and taking some of the weight and judgement away. I explain that it’s natural for our minds to search for escape routes from life’s struggles. For some people, that escape route looks like “I just want to drop everything and move to a remote island where I know no one and have no responsibilities.” For others, it may look like suicidal thoughts. The theme of escaping life’s responsibilities is the same — and we can share empathy about how hard it can be to face overwhelming difficulty, especially when we don’t have enough support.
Suicidal thoughts can be very isolating for an individual. Letting someone know that you are aware of their struggles and here as a helpful support for them can make all the difference. Know that it can help to talk with the individual openly about their suicidal thoughts, make it known that it’s okay that they are dealing with this, and always share that there are resources to help.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 is available 24/7, 365 days a year.
Link to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Also, helping that individual find a supportive therapist can help with long-term improvement and maintaining safety plans. Book an appointment for you or a loved one today.
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