At the end of "Suicide--Part I", it talked about how a suicidal person may not ask for help, but that does not mean that help is not wanted.  Suicide is a desperate attempt to escape suffering that has become too unbearable for them.  A suicidal person is usually blinded by feeling of self-loathing, depression, hopelessness, helplessness, loneliness, despair and other things, to the point that they cannot see any other way of finding relief except through death.

        Most suicidal individuals give warnings signs of their intentions.  Some of the warning signs are:

1.  Talking or writing a lot about death or suicide.  Any talk about suicide, dying, or self-harm or a person saying, "I wish I had never been born," or "I'd be better off dead," or "I can't go on anymore," can be warning signs that they may be thinking about suicide and it could also be a cry for help.

2.  Seeking out lethal means.  If someone is seeking access to guns or knives or pills or any other objects that could be used in a suicide attempt, this could be a red flag that they may be wanting to harm themselves.

3.  Preoccupation with death.  

4.  No hope for the future. 

5.  Self-loathing or self-hatred.  Feeling trapped or hopeless.  Seeking revenge or feeling rage.  Exhibiting dramatic mood changes.  Experiencing anxiety or agitation.

6.  Getting their affairs in order.  Saying goodbye.

7.  Threatening to kill themselves.

8.  Withdrawing from friends and family.  Sleeping constantly or not being able to sleep.

9.  Self-destructing behavior.  Behaving recklessly.  Increasing use of alcohol or drugs.

10.   Sudden sense of calm.  If a person who has been extremely depressed has a sudden sense of calm or happiness, it could mean that person has made the decision to attempt suicide.  The feeling that it will all be over soon may make them feel calmer about things.

         

        How can you help a person that you think may be suicidal?

1. Pay attention to any talk about suicide.  Always take statements of suicidal feelings, thoughts, behaviors or plans very seriously.  Try to remove potential means of suicide, such as guns or pills.

2.  Be yourself.  Let them know you care and that he/she is not alone.  The right words are often not important. If you are concerned, it will show in your voice and manner, and exactly what you say is not important.

3.  Offer help and listen.  Talking to someone about their suicidal thoughts and feelings can be difficult for both parties, but encourage them to talk about their feelings honestly.  Let them unload and vent to you. Let them do most of the talking, your main job is to listen.  Do not lecture or criticize them. Be sympathetic and offer hope. 

4.  Trust your instincts.  If you feel the situation may be serious, quickly seek help.  Do not promise confidentiality because you may have to break confidence to save a life.  Alert key adults in the person's life--family, friends, teachers.

5.  Encourage them to talk to a trusted adult or to seek professional help.  Try not to be alone in helping someone, and then afterwards, keep in touch, check in on them, drop by every so often, and let them know that your support remains.

6.  Remember there are several suicide hotlines (listed at the bottom of this article).

        It has been said that suicide is a very selfish act, and to a degree, it is.  But remember, suicidal people may not be in their right mind, and they are hurting so badly, that they are not thinking about how they will be hurting the ones left behind.  They just want to stop the hurting.  In fact some suicidal people changed their minds during the actual attempt and were grateful they had survived.

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National Suicide Hotline Call 988 .....Available 24-7

Suicide and Crisis Hotline  1-800-999-9999.....Available 24-7

Crisis Text Line--text hello to 741741

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Read "Suicide--Part I" for the statistics of suicide, "Suicide--Part III" for the biblical view on suicide and "Suicide--Part IV" for someone who may be considering suicide.