BE AWARE OF THE WARNING SIGNS
A suicidal person may:
- Talk about suicide, death, and/or no reason to live.
- Be preoccupied with death and dying.
- Withdraw from friends and/or social activities.
- Have a recent severe loss (especially relationship) or threat of a significant loss.
- Experience drastic changes in behavior.
- Lose interest in hobbies, work, school, etc.
- Prepare for death by making out a will (unexpectedly) and final arrangements.
- Give away prized possessions.
- Have attempted suicide before.
- Take unnecessary risks; be reckless, and/or impulsive.
- Lose interest in their personal appearance.
- Increase their use of alcohol or drugs.
- Express a sense of hopelessness.
- Be faced with a situation of humiliation or failure.
- Have a history of violence or hostility.
- Have been unwilling to 'connect' with potential helpers.
BE AWARE OF FEELINGS, THOUGHTS, AND BEHAVIORS
Nearly everyone at some time in his or her life thinks about suicide. Most everyone decides to live because they come to realize that the crisis is temporary, but death in not. On the other hand, people in the midst of a crisis often perceive their dilemma as inescapable and feel an utter loss of control.
Frequently, they:
- 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
- Can'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
If you know someone who exhibits these feelings, offer help!
TALK TO SOMEONE.
YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
Contact:
- A community mental health agency
- A private therapist
- A school counselor or psychologist
- A family physician
- A suicide prevention/crisis intervention center
- A religious/spiritual leader
