Understand Suicide

If you or someone you know exhibits any of the following signs, seek help as soon as possible by contacting a mental health professional, calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

• Threatening to hurt or kill oneself or talking about wanting to hurt or kill oneself.
• Looking for ways to kill oneself by seeking access to firearms, pills, or other means.
• Talking or writing about death, dying, or suicide when these actions are out of the ordinary for the person.
• Feeling hopeless.
• Feeling rage or uncontrolled anger or seeking revenge.
• Acting reckless or engaging in risky activities — seemingly without thinking.
• Feeling trapped — like there’s no way out.
• Increasing alcohol or drug use.
• Withdrawing from friends, family, and society.
• Feeling anxious, agitated, or unable to sleep or sleeping all the time.
• Experiencing dramatic mood changes.
• Seeing no reason for living or having no sense of purpose in life.
• How do you remember the warning signs of suicide? Here’s a mnemonic device that can help you remember the basic signs:

• Ideation
• Substance Abuse
• Purposelessness
• Anxiety
• Trapped
• Hopelessness
• Withdrawal
• Anger
• Recklessness
• Mood Change

• Be aware. Learn the warning signs.
• Get involved. Become available. Show interest and support.
• Ask if he/she is thinking about suicide.
• Be direct. Talk openly and freely about suicide.
• Be willing to listen. Allow for expression of feelings. Accept the feelings.
• Be non-judgmental. Don’t debate whether suicide is right or wrong, or feelings are good or bad. Don’t lecture on the value of life.
• Don’t dare him/her to do it.
• Don’t give advice by making decisions for someone else, or by telling them to behave differently.
• Don’t ask ‘why’. This encourages defensiveness.
• Offer empathy, not sympathy.
• Don’t act shocked. This creates distance.
• Don’t be sworn to secrecy. Seek support.
• Offer hope that alternatives are available, do not offer glib reassurance; it only proves you don’t understand.
• Take action! Remove means! Get help from individuals or agencies specializing in crisis intervention and suicide prevention.
• Be Aware of Feelings, Thoughts, and Behaviors

• Can’t stop the pain.
• Can’t think clearly.
• Can’t make decisions.
• Can’t see any way out.
• Can’t sleep, eat or work.
• an’t get out of the depression.
• Can’t make the sadness go away.
• Can’t see the possibility of change.
• Can’t see themselves as worthwhile.
• Can’t get someone’s attention.
• Can’t seem to get control.