What if someone in my life is suicidal?
What are common Risk Factors?
- Major psychiatric disorder – depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, eating disorders
- Alcohol and other substance use disorders
- Hopelessness / helplessness
- Impulsive and/or aggressive tendencies
- History of trauma or abuse
- Chronic disease / intense pain with little hope of relief
- Previous suicide attempt
- Family history of suicide
- Role failure or perceived role failure – job, family, school
- Imprisonment or impending imprisonment or other legal sanctions that may have a serious effect on self-image
- Chronic sleep disturbance with or without nightmares
- Loss – deaths; exposure to suicide; job; home; relationships or other estrangements
- Access to lethal means
- Local clusters of suicide that have a contagious influence
- Lack of social support and sense of isolation
- Stigma associated with mental illness or asking for help
- Lack of health care or other resources/supports
What are some common Warning Signs?
- If a person talks about killing him/her self
- Statements of suicidal ideations, suicide plans
- Searching online for materials or means
- Acquiring or seeking to acquire means (guns, drugs, poisons)
- Giving away important possessions; unexpectedly making a will
- Statements of purposelessness, being a burden to others
- Statements of hopelessness and being trapped; powerless to change life situation
- Intense emotional pain – “psycheache”
- Sudden changes in mood, intense anger, anxiety, or sudden happiness/relief
- Feelings of constant, unrelenting stress
- Loneliness, isolation, lack of connection (family, friends, school, spiritual, job, etc.)
- Self-loathing, unrelenting feelings of guilt, shame, worthlessness, failure
- Disinterest in life areas that are important
- Calling people or saying goodbye
- Changes in sleep habits
What are Protective Factors I can take?
- Effective clinical care for mental, physical, and substance use disorders
- Easy access to a variety of clinical interventions and support for help
- Restricted access to highly lethal means of suicide
- Strong connections to family and community support
- Support through ongoing medical and mental health care relationships
- Skills in problem solving, conflict resolution and nonviolent handling of disputes
- Cultural and religious beliefs that discourage suicide and support self-preservation
How can I help someone in Crisis?
- Be direct. Talk openly and matter-of-factly about suicide.
- Be willing to listen. Allow expressions of feelings. Accept the feelings.
- Be non-judgmental. Don’t debate whether suicide is right or wrong, or whether feelings are good or bad.
- Don’t lecture on the value of life.
- Get involved. Become available. Show interest and support.
- Take any threats of suicide seriously. Don’t dare him or her to do it.
- Stay calm. Don’t act shocked – this will put distance between you.
- Seek support. Don’t be sworn to secrecy.
- Offer hope that alternatives are available.
- Take action. Remove means such as guns or stockpiled pills.
- Get help from persons or agencies specializing in crisis intervention and suicide prevention.