Helping a friend who is talking about suicide

HELPING A FRIEND WHO IS TALKING ABOUT SUICIDEPublished on October 10, 2014 by Raychelle Cassada Lohmann, M.S., L.P.C. in Teen Angst

Reported by: MARY MARJORIE G. DIZONCurrent Issues In Psychology

October 12, 2014

As a teen, what do you do if your

friend is thinking about suicide?

The Ultimate Protest

↘ No person in this earth is closer to us than ourselves.

↘ At times, we suddenly lose that special, exclusive contact with ourselves.

↘ We cannot understand ourselves any longer.

↘ And then we feel: Lonely Sad Hopeless Guilty (perhaps) Helpless

Fortunately…

Suicide is a rare occurrence, and most of us survive those despairing times.

But rare does not mean never.

“Suicide epidemics” among TEENAGERS

↘ Suicide rate among teens has more than tripled during the last 25 years.

↘ Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among adolescents, after accidents.

Unorthodox methods of SUICIDE↘ Diabetics who ease themselves

Into death by eating too much sugar.

↘ People with physical ailments who push themselves past their limits.

↘ The ones who stop taking medicines that has been keeping them alive.

↘ The accident-prone ---- those who have one accident after another.

Some are driven by an unconscious impulse. Psychiatrists say that each accident is a “potential suicide”.

“Self-destruction is the effect of cowardice in the

highest extreme.”- Daniel Defoe

“Violence is a learned response to frustration

and anger.”- Dr. Eva Deykin

THE SIGNS

It’s not uncommon for people to have some of these signs at some point in their lives, but people who are thinking about suicide experience them more intensely and more often.

Does your friend show any of the signs? change in eating and sleeping habits

withdrawal from friends and family pulling away from once enjoyed activities explosive episodes impulsive and risk-taking behaviors drug and alcohol use poor personal hygiene changes in personality difficulty concentrating decline in academic work physical symptoms minus illness (stomachaches,

headaches, fatigue, etc.)

A friend who is thinking about suicide may:

put himself/herself down a lot, or frequently talk about being a bad person

say things like: "I won’t be around much longer." "Soon everything will be better." "I wish I were dead." "It's no use, why try." "I'd be better off dead." "Life is useless.“

give away favorite things, throw away important personal items, clean up and organize belongings, etc.

become overly happy after a period of depression

have strange hallucinations or weird thoughts

If your friend has reached out to you…

Don't worry about what to say.

A hug can go a long way.

Let your friend know that you care deeply for his/her safety.

Help your friend connect with other adults. These people can help find your friend professionals that can help.

Your friend has told you for a reason; he/she trusts you.

Be an encourager and let your friend know that things will get better.