Please take any signs of suicidal thought seriously. In this guide we will cover the warning signs of suicide, how to talk to a suicidal person about suicide, responding to a suicidal crisis, and supporting them during recovery.
Warning Signs
Some of the warning signs you should be aware of are:
- Talking about wanting to die or to kill oneself.
- Looking for a way to kill oneself, such as searching online or buying a gun.
- Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live.
- Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain.
- Talking about being a burden to others.
- Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs.
- Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly.
- Sleeping too little or too much.
- Withdrawn or feeling isolated.
- Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge.
- Displaying extreme mood swings.
- Preoccupation with death.
- Suddenly happier, calmer.
- Loss of interest in things one cares about.
- Visiting or calling people to say goodbye.
- Making arrangements; setting one’s affairs in order.
- Giving things away, such as prized possessions.
- Unusually emotive messages via text, email or other means.
- Behaviour out of the ordinary.
Talking to a suicidal person
If you think a friend or family member is considering suicide, you might be afraid to bring up the subject. However, talking openly about suicidal thoughts and feelings can save a life. The easiest way to start the conversation is simply to ask: Are you having thoughts of suicide?
- Be direct. Talk openly and matter-of-factly about suicide.
- Be willing to listen. Allow expressions of feelings. Accept the feelings.
- Be non-judgmental. Don’t debate whether suicide is right or wrong, or whether feelings are good or bad. Don’t lecture on the value of life.
- Get involved. Become available. Show interest and support.
- Don’t dare him or her to do it.
- Don’t act shocked. This will put distance between you.
- Don’t be sworn to secrecy. Seek support.
- Offer hope that alternatives are available but do not offer glib reassurance.
- Take action. Remove anything that the person could potentially harm themselves with.
- This could include car keys where they mentioned taking a trip to areas of danger such as our island’s coasts where large cliff faces and bodies of water exist.
- Get help from persons or agencies specializing in crisis intervention and suicide prevention.
Respond quickly in crisis
When somebody tells you they are thinking about suicide, you can start with evaluating the level of suicide risk that the person is in.
Level of suicide risk
- Low - thoughts of suicide, but no plan or intent
- Medium - thoughts of suicide with vague plan, but no suicidal actions
- High - thoughts of suicide with specific plan
- Very high - thoughts of suicide with specific plan and intent to carry out the plan
If a suicide attempt seems imminent, call a local crisis centre, dial 999, or take the person to an emergency room. Remove, any potentially lethal objects or means from the vicinity but do not, under any circumstances, leave a suicidal person alone.
Support during recovery
Remove potential means of suicide - Remove knives, ropes and other potential lethal objects or means such as car keys from the suicidal person. If he or she is likely to overdose on pills, then keep medications with you and give them out only as necessary to follow the prescription. You may opt not to travel alone to places of danger such as cliff faces or areas of large bodies of water.
- Get them professional help - Encourage the person to seek a mental health professional, be it a doctor or therapist. You can call a crisis line for help and guidance, even if you yourself are not suicidal.
- Support them - Ask the person every so often how they are feeling so that if the person is going through another suicidal crisis, you can ensure they are not alone. Encourage the person to reach out to you if they are feeling acutely suicidal.
- Take care of yourself - It can be emotionally difficult to support a person for an extended period of time. It is important for you to make sure your own health and happiness are solid.
- Have a back plan, if the main person who provides support is unavailable is there an alternative? Having an alternative person helps to ensure that in crisis there is more than contact to provide help and support.
While you cannot simply control the suicidal person and make them better, you can control how well you take care of yourself.
Those who support people who live suicidal ideation also need help and support, SOS provides lists of services who also provide support to friends and family, remember these services are here to help everyone.