If you suspect that someone you know is going through an emotional crisis and considering suicide or hurting themselves, don't hesitate to reach out. Ask them directly if they are having suicidal thoughts and don't wait to see if they start to feel better.
Supporting someone who is feeling suicidal is crucial, and your compassion can make a big difference. There are a number of practical things you can do to help someone who feels suicidal and ensure safety. Here’s how to help someone who feels suicidal. Let’s get started!
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| Suicide Prevention Tips |
How to Help Someone Who is Suicidal
Suicidal thoughts, also known as suicidal ideation, involve frequent contemplation of death or self-harm without necessarily having a detailed plan. These thoughts can emerge from feeling overwhelmed by life’s challenges, especially during difficult situations. When hope for the future diminishes, suicide may appear as a desperate solution.
According to the World Health Organization, one person commits suicide every 40 seconds, which means about 700,000 people every year. Yes, suicide rates have increased drastically over the years, and we all may know someone who is having thoughts about taking their life.
'I wish I don't wake up tomorrow, 'I can not do this any longer, or 'This world would be a better place without me' are all indicators that a person is thinking about ending their life. If you have a friend or a family member who keeps saying things like this, then you should definitely support them.
What are the Possible Causes of Suicide?
Suicidal thoughts can strike anyone, regardless of age, gender, or background, at any time. If someone is suicidal, they have most likely been feeling increasingly hopeless and worthless for some time. They may not know what has made them feel this way, but it is might a combination of factors including:
- Issues with mental health.
- Different types of abuse, such as domestic, sexual, or physical abuse, being bullied or discriminated against.
- Bereavement, including the suicide of a loved one, the end of a relationship, long-term physical pain or illness, and adjusting to a significant change, such as retirement or redundancy.
- Financial issues.
- Housing issues, such as homelessness, isolation, or loneliness, being in prison, and feeling inadequate or a failure.
- Substance abuse or addiction.
- Pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum depression are all possibilities.
- Doubts about your sexual or gender identity cultural pressures, such as forced marriage, and other types of traumas.
Warnings Signs of a Suicidal Person
Here are some of the common signs to help you identify if someone you know is suicidal:
- Talking about wanting to die or killing oneself
- Looking for a way to kill oneself
- Feeling hopeless or having no purpose;
- Speaking of being trapped or in unbearable pain
- Speaking of being a burden to others
- Increasing alcohol or drug use
- behaving anxiously, agitatedly, or recklessly
- Sleep disorder: Sleeping too little or too much
- Withdrawing or feeling isolated
- Displaying rage or discussing vengeance
- Displaying extreme mood swings.
Ways to Help Someone Who Feels Suicidal
Here are some effective ways to help someone who feels suicidal:
Spend More Time With Them
Sometimes all depressed people need is a friend who can be there for them. We often forget the importance of spending time with our loved ones. It helps us understanding their feelings and emotions better and coming up with solutions. So, it is always a good idea to visit a friend who you know is going through a rough time. If you can not see them, then calling to check up on them is also necessary. Your one call might relieve their stress and make them feel cared for and wanted.
Be Non-Judgmental While Listening
When a person trusts you by sharing their intimate feelings, the worst thing you can do is judge them. Therefore, just listen to their problems and let them complain. Only offer solutions or advice when they ask you. Saying things like 'This is all in your head' or 'You should not say something like this can invalidate their feelings and further lead to the problem.
Be Hopeful and Motivated
Helping someone who is at a stage where they are having excessive negative thoughts is not easy at all. Their attitude towards your behavior might be harsh and demotivate you. However, you should never lose hope yourself and be strong for them. The primary focus is that your love and care can stop someone from taking their life; this should keep you motivated until the person has recovered.
Check-in on Them Constantly
At this advanced age, it is not difficult to stay in touch with your loved ones at all. Making daily conversations through text messages can be very helpful. This way, you get to know what they are going through on a daily basis and can come up with ideas to provide support. Adding the suicidal person to an online WhatsApp or Facebook group can also be helpful. This way, they can be surrounded by their loved ones virtually and feel like an essential part of others' lives.
Offer Support: Financial or Emotional
Offering either financial or emotional support is an excellent way of helping a suicidal person because this can solve the majority of their problems. Suppose a person is homeless, jobless or in debt. In that case, it means they have financial problems, which can lead to a lot of stress, and when compiled with other issues, thoughts of suicide can occur. Therefore, along with emotional support and care, you should also consider providing financial help if this is the case.
Reassurance and Comfort
Reassurance is essential because people who are suicidal may not have much hope. Make it clear to them that suicidal thoughts are frequently associated with a treatable mental illness. If you feel comfortable, offer to assist them in obtaining the necessary treatment. You can also tell them that suicidal thoughts are common and that you do not have to act on them. These messages will help them remember that there is still hope for them, and they can always have a fresh start.