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SUICIDAL WARNING SIGNS
Not
every person who is depressed or considered at risk will attempt suicide.
When someone draws close to suicide, warning signs in the form of
Words, ACTIONS or
FEELINGS will tip off family and friends to the
danger. Seek help as soon as possible if you notice any of the
following suicidal signals.
WORDS
è
Talks, writes, or otherwise
expresses a preoccupation with suicide or death in general.
è
Complains of being a bad person or being
"rotten inside."
è
Gives verbal hints such as, "I'd be
better off dead," "I won't be a problem for you much longer," "Nothing
matters," "It's no use," and "I won't see you again."
è
Threatens to hurt or kill oneself
è
People thinking about suicide
sometimes see their situation as inescapable and feel an utter loss of
control. Someone at this point may express feelings and thoughts such
as:
- I can't stop the pain.
- I can't see any way out.
- I can't make the sadness go away.
- I can't seem to get control.
- I can't think clearly.
- I can't sleep, eat or work.
- I can't see a future without pain.
- I can't make decisions.
-
I can't get someone's attention.
-
I can't get out of depression.
-
I can't see myself as worthwhile.
ACTIONS
v
Withdraws from friends or
family.
v
Significantly changes
eating, sleeping, or appearance habits.
v
Experiences sudden drop in
academic performance.
v
Puts his affairs in order;
for example, gives away favorite toys, cleans his room, or throws away
important belongings.
v
Acts in rash, hostile, or
irrational ways; often expresses rage.
v
Increases alcohol or other
drug use
v
Seeks access to firearms,
medication or other means of killing oneself
FEELINGS
»
Feels
overwhelmingly hopeless, guilty, or ashamed.
»
Sees no
reason for living, finds no purpose in life
»
Feels
rage or uncontrolled anger, feels need for revenge
»
Feels
trapped, anxious, or agitated
»Shows
little interest in favorite activities or the future.
»
Becomes
suddenly cheerful after a period of depression (perhaps feeling that she's
found a "solution" to her problems).
(Adopted
from
SAMSHA and
South Dakota Suicide Prevention)
PLAN FOR ACTION
If you
think someone is suicidal:
þ
Trust your instincts that
the person may be in trouble
þ
Talk with the person about
your concerns. Remember, communication needs to include listening
þ
Be direct. Talk openly and
matter-of-factly about suicide.
þ
Be willing to listen.
Allow expressions of feelings. Accept the feelings.
þ
Be non-judgmental. Don't
debate whether suicide is right or wrong, or whether feelings are good or
bad.
þ
Don't lecture on the value of life.
þ
Get involved. Become
available. Show interest and support.
þ
Don't dare the person to
do it.
þ
Don't act shocked. This
will put distance between you.
þ
Ask direct questions
without being judgmental. Determine if the person has a specific plan
to carry out the suicide. The more detailed the plan, the greater the
risk.
þ
Get professional help,
even if the person resists
þ
Offer hope that
alternatives are available but do not offer glib reassurance.
þ
Take action. Remove means,
such as guns or stockpiled pills.
þ
Do not leave the person
alone
þ
Do not swear to secrecy
þ
Do not act shocked or
judgmental
þ
Do not counsel the person
yourself
Most
important, take any suicide attempt seriously.
If your child or someone
else you know is thinking about suicide, call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to find
a crisis center in your area.
(Adopted from
Mental Health America and from the
American Association of Suicidology)
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