Suicide Prevention
September was Suicide Prevention Month and with a suicide taking place approximately every 11 minutes, the month passed and over 3,900 people lost their lives to suicide. While there are many organizations focused on suicide prevention, the most effective prevention work is relational. Here are some practical tips on what to look out for when preventing the suicide of a friend.
WORDS
Listen to the content of your friend’s conversation. According to the National Institute for Mental Health, those who are struggling with suicidal thoughts may talk about wanting to die, great guilt or shame, and being a burden to others. General negative conversation can be normal on occasion, but when that becomes the go-to topic for anyone, this can be cause for concern.
In a world where dark humor is prevalent, the best approach is to have serious conversations with your friends. One way to have this conversation is to ask what’s going on when dark humor is the only kind of jokes they tell. Real conversations are hard, but necessary because suicide is an issue of life and death.
EMOTIONS
Feelings in others are hard to determine, but it is necessary to be on the lookout in order to save a life. Again, the National Institute for Mental Health says feeling empty, hopeless, trapped, extremely sad, more anxious, or even unbearable emotional or physical pain can all be signs of suicidality. There are some signs of these emotions, but the best way is to know how your friends act normally and to be on the lookout for when they are acting out of character.
ACTIONS
The final category of warning signs from the National Institute for Mental Health is a change in behavior. These behaviors include making a plan to die, withdrawing from family and friends, saying goodbye, giving away their possessions, and substance abuse. While these changes can be obvious, one must know how their friend acts on a day-to-day basis in order to recognize the change.
WHAT NOW?
The easiest way to check on your friend is to simply ask, “Are you okay?” and be prepared to genuinely listen. This shows your friend that you care about them and that you have noticed their recent actions. Many suicides are what some have called “deaths of despair” meaning they feel hopeless and alone. Reaching out to them shows them they are not alone and that there is someone they can talk to.
What happens when they share things you are not prepared to hear? Do not overreact. This can lead them to feel guilty and as if they are a burden. Encourage them to seek professional help. Even offering to go with them to a counselor can show them the support they need.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, the National Suicide Helpline now has a three-digit crisis line that can receive calls or texts. That number is 988.
