Suicide is a desperate attempt to end agonizing pain. Annually, around 700,000 individuals commit suicide. Moreover, there are more than 20 suicide attempts for every suicide.
Suicide attempts and suicide have a cascading effect on families, friends, coworkers, communities, and society. Often, suicide is avoidable. Recognizing and taking warning indicators seriously is the first step in suicide prevention. It's tough to comprehend what leads so many people to commit suicide if they aren't suffering from suicidal sadness and despair. A suicidal individual, on the other hand, is in such excruciating suffering that they see no other way out. They are blinded by feelings of self-loathing, hopelessness, and solitude, and they see no other way out than suicide. They wish there was a better option than suicide, but can't see one.
Risk Factors
Teenagers
Childhood abuse.
Recent traumatic event.
Lack of a support network.
Self-esteem issues
Hostile social or school environment.
Exposure to other teen suicides.
Depression
Self-doubt
Adults
The recent death of a loved one, isolation, and loneliness.
Physical illness, disability, or pain.
Major life changes, such as retirement or loss of independence.
Loss of sense of purpose.
Depression
Suicide Warning Signs
Seeking out lethal means
Preoccupation with death
Talking about suicide
No hope for the future
Withdrawing from others
Saying goodbye to the loved ones
Self-destructive behavior
Suicide Prevention Tips
Watch out for signs of distress and emotions.
Ask, “are you having suicidal thoughts?”.
It will pass, assure your loved ones that, with help, their suicidal feelings will pass with time.
Talk to others, encourage your loved ones to seek help from a health professional.
To Help a Suicidal Person
Get professional help
Be proactive
Continue your support over the long haul
Follow-up on treatment
Encourage positive lifestyle changes
Make a safety plan
Remove potential means of suicide
While Talking to a Suicidal Person
Do’s:
Be Yourself - Allow the individual to know that you care, and that they are not alone. It is not nearly as crucial to finding the correct words as it is to express your worry.
Listen - Allow a friend or loved one to vent and express their emotions. The fact that the dialogue is going place, no matter how unpleasant it appears, is a positive indicator.
Be Sympathetic and Non-judgmental - Even if it is painful to hear, the suicidal person is doing the right thing by talking about their feelings.
Offer Hope - Assure your loved one that there is aid available, and that the suicidal thoughts are just temporary. Make it clear to the individual that their life is vital to you.
Take the Person Seriously - Whether a suicidal individual says words like, "I'm so miserable, I can't go on," inquire if they're thinking about suicide. You are enabling them to share their grief with you rather than imposing your opinions on them.
Don'ts:
Argue with the Suicidal Person - Avoid phrases such as "You have so much to live for," "Your suicide would affect your family," and "Just snap out of it."
Act Shocked - Give a speech about the importance of life, or explain that suicide is wrong.
Promise Confidentiality or be Sworn to Secrecy - Life is on the line, and you may need to consult with a mental health expert to keep the suicidal individual safe. You may have to violate your word if you pledge to keep your chats private.
Offer ways to fix your loved one’s problems - Give them advice or make them feel obligated to defend their suicide thoughts. It is not about how serious the situation is, but about how much it is causing your friend or loved one pain.
Blame Yourself - You cannot "cure" another person's depression. It is not your obligation to be happy or unhappy for a friend or loved one.
Takeaway Message
Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly. The moment you are ready to quit is usually the moment right before the miracle happens. When you want to give up on today, remember the strength you used to get through yesterday, and the new possibilities tomorrow brings. So do not give up. If everything is not okay in the end then it is not the end. Give yourself another day, another chance. You will find your courage eventually. Don’t give up on yourself just, yet! Whenever the darkness gets suffocating, just think about all the beauty still left around you and try to be happy. Do not forget that you are important, your feelings matter, your story matters, and your life matters as much as anyone else.
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