Discuss why people try to kill themselves, what signs to look for, and how you can help prevent a suicide

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Answer will include that a diagnosable mental disorder (usually depression or substance abuse
disorder) is a factor in 90 percent of all suicides. Suicidal people usually have a history of trouble with family, a lover, or a spouse. Often they have drinking or drug abuse problems, sexual adjustment problems, or job difficulties. The following are all major risk factors for suicide: drug or alcohol abuse; a prior suicide attempt; depression or other mood disorder; feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness; antisocial, impulsive, or aggressive behavior; severe anxiety, panic attacks, family history of suicidal behavior; shame, humiliation, failure, or rejection; and availability of a firearm. Typically suicidal people isolate themselves from others, feel worthless, helpless, and misunderstood, and want to die. An extremely negative self-image and severe feelings of hopelessness are warnings that the risk of suicide is very high. However, a long history of such conditions is not always necessary to produce a desire for suicide. Anyone may temporarily reach a state of depression severe enough to attempt suicide. Most dangerous for the average person are times of divorce, separation, rejection, failure, and bereavement. Each situation can seem intolerable, and motivate an intense desire to die, to escape, or to obtain relief. For young people, feelings of anger and hostility add to the danger. When the impulse to harm others is turned inward, the risk of suicide increases dramatically. Of every 10 potential suicides, eight give warnings beforehand. A person who threatens suicide should be taken seriously. The warning signs in the following list, especially if they are observed in combination, can signal an impending suicide attempt: withdrawal from contact with others, sudden mood swings, recent occurrence of a life crisis or emotional shock, personality change, gift giving of prized possessions, depression/hopelessness, aggression and/or risk taking, preoccupation with death, drug use, and direct threats to commit suicide. Suicides can be prevented. Only three to five percent of suicide cases involve people who really want to die. Most people, therefore, are relieved when someone comes to their aid. In order to intervene, one must establish rapport. Help the person to see that the thoughts of "escape" can be expressed without ending it all. People who commit suicide are in unbearable pain or have frustrated needs. Help them to reduce the pain and to identify and ease frustrated needs. In addition, help the suicidal person to broaden their options. Even when all the choices are unpleasant, help them see that any one of them is better than death. It is important to remember that a suicidal person feels misunderstood. Try to accept and understand the feelings the person is expressing. It is completely acceptable to ask, "Are you thinking of suicide?" Establishing communication with the suicidal person may be enough to carry them through a difficult time. You may also find it helpful to get day-by-day commitments from them to meet for lunch, share a ride, etc. Let the person know you expect her or him to be there. Don't end your efforts too soon. A dangerous time for suicide is when a person suddenly seems to get better after a severe depression. This often means the person has finally decided to end it all. Give a person who seems suicidal the number of one of the crisis intervention centers to call if they become frightened and help the person to make an appointment to get psychological treatment. If the suicide attempt seems imminent, don't worry about overacting. Immediately seek professional assistance by calling the police, crisis intervention, a rescue unit, or ask them to accompany you to the emergency room at a hospital.