Having quality conversations about suicide is key to suicide prevention. Learn how to bring up suicide and help a struggling loved one here.
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While it seems like there is no hope, there is always another option. There are many ways that suicide prevention can be implemented into education, community programs, and mental health treatment.
Knowing what to look for is one of the most important keys to suicide prevention. Some signs that a person may be suicidal include:
An increase in risky behaviors
Giving away possessions
Talking about wanting to die
Saying goodbye to others as if they won’t be seen again
Acquiring the means to carry out suicide, such as buying drugs or firearms
Being preoccupied with death
Feelings of guilt and shame
Feeling like a burden to others
Mood instability and mood swings
Making plans or researching ways to take their life
Withdrawing from friends and family
Using drugs and alcohol
Changes in sleeping or eating habits
Suicidal ideations can affect anyone. However, some groups are more at risk than others. According to the CDC, men are more likely to die by suicide. The suicide rate for men is four times higher than for women.3
Also, those who are Native American and Alaskan Indian are more at risk for suicide than other ethnicities. Veterans and LGBTQ+ individuals are also at a higher risk for suicide. This is also true of individuals living in rural isolated areas.4
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) have been shown to increase the risk of suicide later in life. These experiences, which may range from abuse, neglect, or even having a caregiver that committed suicide, may negatively affect children up until their adult life, potentially leading to multiple consequences.
However, making sure that we educate children and adults alike about the dangers of ACEs and suicide can help people get the support and care they need for their mental health.5
Bringing up suicide can be difficult. If you are worried about a loved one feeling suicidal and want to help, having a caring conversation is often the first step in suicide prevention.
It is important to approach suicide prevention conversations with care and sensitivity. Begin by letting them know that you are bringing up the topic because you care. It can be helpful to ask questions to get them to open up.
While not all of these questions may be beneficial to ask in every scenario, it’s important to know what kinds of questions to potentially ask.
Examples of questions you can ask include:
It is important to approach these questions from a non-judgmental, neutral place. These questions can be difficult to ask but are often key to suicide prevention. However, many people worry that asking these questions may cause someone to follow through with suicide.
In reality, asking these kinds of questions and holding space for someone to talk about their suicidal feelings is often helpful. It can reduce the risk of a person acting on their feelings. However, if you are still concerned about bringing up these questions to your loved one, it can be beneficial to talk with a mental health professional first.
Another way to talk about suicide is to bring up things you’ve noticed that are causing you to feel concerned. When doing this, make sure to approach with the utmost empathy and compassion.
Anytime you are discussing suicide with someone, there are a few things to keep in mind. Following these dialogue tips can help your suicide prevention efforts be more productive.
Some dialogue tips for suicide prevention include:
Outside of having conversations about suicide prevention, there are a few things you can do to be an ally to a friend or a loved one considering suicide.
These include:
Suicide is preventable with proper treatment. Treatment for suicidal thoughts and feelings will look different from person to person. However, treatment typically includes counseling and medication.
Talking to a counselor or other mental health professional is key in unpacking the difficult experiences that may cause someone to be suicidal.
Behavioral counseling such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is commonly used for treatment, in addition to counseling. This type of counseling trains a person to be able to identify destructive thought patterns and change them.
Many people who are considering suicide suffer from untreated mental illness. Often, the solution is as simple as quality psychiatric care and finding the right medication. Anti-depressants and anti-anxiety drugs are commonly used when it comes to suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
Getting help from a medical professional will ensure that you or your loved one are getting the right type of treatment and the right medication to prevent suicide.
With appropriate interventions, suicidal ideations can be addressed and individual mental health can improve. The crucial factor in preventing suicide is promoting and actively pursuing professional assistance.
Horizon Treatment Services offers tailored mental health solutions that can effectively address thoughts of self-harm. We know just how important mental health and wellness is, and we are committed to serving our communities.
We have programs that are appropriate for people of all ages and demographics. We offer inpatient, outpatient, residential, and community support programs. If you or a loved one are struggling with suicidal ideation, we will be here with you every step of the way.
Call us and get started on your path to a happier, healthier, and more fulfilled life today.
