Signs That a Person May Be Suicidal
Some people feel that suicide is the only option when they lose all hope in life. A person who is suicidal is pushed to their limits and loses their self-esteem. They lose interest in hobbies, eating, and they alienate themselves from everyone. To spot people who are having suicidal thoughts, you will notice a change in their mood towards activities and their personality. Depression is a common mood disorder that can anyone can suffer from and if not treated, it can lead to suicide.
In order to help someone who is having suicidal thoughts, it’s important to understand the term and why they feel they have no options. Suicide is the last resort to escape the sadness they feel because they are overwhelmed by it. The sadness leaves them hopeless and unwanted by everyone. They start to feel conflicted with themselves and start wanting to take their own life. However, they doubt if this is the correct solution. The person believes that there is an alternative solution to suicide, but they are blinded with thoughts of failure and guilt.
To help someone who is having suicidal thoughts, you need to notice these major warning signs: talking about killing or harming themselves, talking or writing constantly about death or dying, and seeking items to be used for a suicide attempt. The deadly warning sign of suicide is if they display hopelessness such as talking about having no future, not looking forward for anything, or may hint about how he/she wants to vent out her feelings. Another warning sign can also be dramatic mood swings that change the personality of a person.
If you do spot these signs, you need to speak up. It may be uncomfortable, but they need help. Tell them that you feel concerned, talk to them about their feelings and reassure them that you are here to support them. When you do this, make sure you listen, are sympathetic and provide them with hope. If you find that the person is at the point where they are planning suicide, figure out if they have a plan, a means, a time set, and the intention and report it immediately. If it seriously inevitable, call a local crisis center, dial 911, or take him/her to an emergency person. Remove any lethal weapons and do not leave the suicidal person alone.
Offer help and support by getting professional help which can include, calling a crisis counselor, seeing a mental health professional or taking them to a doctor. If the person receives a prescribed medication, make sure that they take them and ensure that the person gets better. It may take time for the medication or therapy to help the person, but continue to support them. Make sure to keep in contact with person by taking them out or visiting them. Encourage them to change their lifestyle to a good one like having plenty of sleep and exercise. Make sure to make a safety plan in case you are not there to support the suicidal person or if something traumatic happens to them.
As college students, it’s important to keep an eye out for anyone who is feeling hopeless and needs support. College can be stressful with classes piling assignments, projects, exams, or quizzes and adding work and other stress factors can make anyone feel depressed. If you or anyone feels suicidal, talk to a friend, call a local crisis center, or go to the Wellness Center to seek counseling.
