Suicide AwarenessSaving One Life At A Time

Warning signs

•Talking about suicide

Any talk about suicide, dying, or self-harm, such as "I wish I hadn't been born," "If I see you again..." and "I'd be better off dead." 

•Seeking out lethal means

Seeking access to guns, pills, knives, or other objects that could be used in a suicide attempt.

•No hope for the future

Feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, and being trapped ("There's no way out"). Belief that things will never get better or change.

•Self-loathing, self-hatred

Feelings of worthlessness, guilt, shame, and self-hatred. Feeling like a burden ("Everyone would be better off without me").

•Getting affairs in order

Making out a will. Giving away prized possessions. Making arrangements for family members. 

•Saying goodbye

Unusual or unexpected visits or calls to family and friends. Saying goodbye to people as if they won't be seen again. 

•Withdrawing from others

Withdrawing from friends and family. Increasing social isolation. Desire to be left alone. 

•Self-destructive behavior

Increased alcohol or drug use, reckless driving, unsafe sex. Taking unnecessary risks as if they have a "death wish.“

Causes of suicideNegative life experiences that may cause depression, and some other causes for depression, include:

Feeling that things will never "get better."

Feeling helpless.

Serious legal problems, such as criminal prosecution or incarceration.

Feeling "taken advantage of."

Inability to deal with a perceived "humiliating" situation.

Inability to deal with a perceived "failure."

Alcohol abuse.

Drug abuse.

A feeling of not being accepted by family, friends, or society.

A horrible disappointment.

Feeling like one has not lived up to his or her high expectations or those of another.

Bullying. (Adults, as well as children, can be bullied.)

Low self-esteem.

Chronic physical pain.

Intense emotional pain.

Misconceptions of suicide•FALSE: People who talk about suicide won't really do it. Almost everyone who commits or attempts suicide has given some clue or warning. Do not ignore suicide threats. Statements like "you'll be sorry when I'm dead," "I can't see any way out," — no matter how casually or jokingly said may indicate serious suicidal feelings.

•FALSE: Anyone who tries to kill him/herself must be crazy. Most suicidal people are not psychotic or insane. They must be upset, grief-stricken, depressed or despairing, but extreme distress and emotional pain are not necessarily signs of mental illness.

•FALSE: If a person is determined to kill him/herself, nothing is going to stop them. 

Even the most severely depressed person has mixed feelings about death, wavering until the very last moment between wanting to live and wanting to die. Most suicidal people do not want death; they want the pain to stop. The impulse to end it all, however overpowering, does not last forever.

Suicide Prevention Get professional help. Do everything in your power to get a suicidal person the help he or she

needs. Call a crisis line for advice and referrals. Encourage the person to see a mental health professional, help locate a treatment facility, or take them to a doctor's appointment.

Follow-up on treatment. If the doctor prescribes medication, make sure your friend or loved one takes it as directed. Be aware of possible side effects and be sure to notify the physician if the person seems to be getting worse.

Encourage positive lifestyle changes, such as a healthy diet, plenty of sleep, and getting out in the sun or into nature for at least 30 minutes each day. Exercise is also extremely important as it releases endorphins, relieves stress, and promotes emotional well-being. 

Make a safety plan. Help the person develop a set of steps he or she promises to follow during a suicidal crisis. Also include contact numbers for the person's doctor or therapist, as well as friends and family members who will help in an emergency.

Remove potential means of suicide, such as pills, knives, razors, or firearms. If the person is likely to take an overdose, keep medications locked away or give out only as the person needs them.

Coping with Suicide

Step 1: Promise not to do anything right now.  

Even though you’re in a lot of pain right now, give yourself some distance between thoughts and action. Make a promise to yourself: "I will wait 24 hours and won't do anything drastic during that time." Or, wait a week.

Step 2: Avoid drugs and Alcohol.

Suicidal thoughts can become even stronger if you have taken drugs or alcohol. It is important to not use nonprescription drugs or alcohol when you feel hopeless or are thinking about suicide.

Step 3: Make you're home safe.

Remove things you could use to hurt yourself, such as pills, knives, razors, or firearms. If you are unable to do so, go to a place where you can feel safe. If you are thinking of taking an overdose, give your medicines to someone who can return them to you one day at a time as you need them 

Step 4: Take hope- people DO get through this.

Even people who feel as badly as you are feeling now manage to survive these feelings. Take hope in this. There is a very good chance that you are going to live through these feelings, no matter how much self-loathing, hopelessness, or isolation you are currently experiencing. Just give yourself the time needed and don’t try to go it alone.

Step 5: Don't keep these suicidal feelings to yourself.

Many of us have found that the first step to coping with suicidal thoughts and feelings is to share them with someone we trust. It may be a friend, a therapist, a member of the clergy, a teacher, a family doctor, a coach, or an experienced counselor at the end of a helpline. Find someone you trust and let them know how bad things are. Don’t let fear, shame, or embarrassment prevent you from seeking help. Just talking about how you got to this point in your life can release a lot of the pressure that’s building up and help you find a way to cope.

Recovering from Suicide Thoughts

. Identify triggers or situations that lead to feelings of despair or generate suicidal thoughts, such as an anniversary of a loss, alcohol, or stress from relationships. Find ways to avoid these places, people, or situations.

 

2. Take care of yourself. Eat right, don’t skip meals, and get plenty of sleep. Exercise is also key: it releases endorphins, relieves stress, and promotes emotional well-being.

3. Build your support network. Surround yourself with positive influences and people who make you feel good about yourself. The more you’re invested in other people and your community, the more you have to lose—which will help you stay positive and on the recovery track.

4. Develop new activities and interests. Find new hobbies, volunteer activities, or work that gives you a sense of meaning and purpose. When you’re doing things you find fulfilling, you’ll feel better about yourself and feelings of despair are less likely to return.

5. Learn to deal with stress in a healthy way. Find healthy ways to keep your stress levels in check, including exercising, meditating, using sensory strategies to relax, practicing simple breathing exercises, and challenging self-defeating thoughts.

Need Help? STOP SUICIDE ISN’T THE ANSWER!Need to talk to someone right now?

No matter what problems you are dealing with, we want to help you find a reason to keep living. By calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255) you’ll be connected to a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center in your area, anytime 24/7.

When you dial 1-800-273-TALK (8255), you are calling the crisis center in the Lifeline network closest to your location. After you call, you will hear a message saying you have reached the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. You will hear hold music while your call is being routed. You will be helped by a skilled, trained crisis worker who will listen to your problems and will tell you about mental health services in your area. Your call is confidential and free.

Suicide Statistics 2012 According  to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention ,Suicide is a serious public health problem

that can have lasting harmful effects on individuals, families, and communities. While its causes are complex and determined by multiple factors, the goal of suicide prevention is simple: Reduce factors that increase risk (i.e. risk factors) and increase factors that promote resilience (i.e. protective factors). Ideally, prevention addresses all levels of influence: individual, relationship, community, and societal. Effective prevention strategies are needed to promote awareness of suicide and encourage a commitment to social change.

Resources www.outofthedarkness.org

This website promotes the awareness of suicide by raising money and doing charity walks

www.afsp.org

The National Foundation for Suicide. This website is one of the best websites to find suicide facts and tips.

www.save.org

Educate your mind and get the scoop on suicide awareness www.suicideology.orgA website that talks about signs , symptoms ,

causes and treatment of suicide. 

http://www.suicide.org/suicide-prevention-in-the-military.html

Suicide information for people in the military. http://www.suicideispreventable.org/Learn the signs of suicide

http://www.teensuicideprevention.org/

A website dedicated  to educating teens about suicide awareness

http://www.suicide.org/college-student-suicide.html

college can be tough suicide is not the answer  here are some tips.

http://www.secondchanc4.xix.com/secondchance

A website made in dedication to a step sister who took her life in 2008. Website has lots of information pertaining to suicide including suicide warning signs , prevention, recovery, statistics, a forum you can post on and a bi-monthly newsletter.

Cited

Information gathered from and belongs to http://www.help.org

Information is for educational use only

THANKS FOR READING!