How to Help Someone who is Suicidal?

Suicide is one of the most sensitive issues that we have these days. The number of people who have committed suicide has now reached millions worldwide and this count still does not include those who have attempted, planned or even thought of doing it. There are actually a lot of factors that can push a person to committing such a terrible action. Because of this, it is indeed time for us to focus our attention to this matter and provide immediate and necessary actions in order to prevent the rapid increase of the suicidal victims. Below are some tips that we can use in order for us to learn how to help someone who is suicidal.

Understanding the thoughts of suicidal individuals

Nowadays, we can already hear a lot of news or reports about people who commit different ways of suicides. These cases are associated to different reasons as to why the victims committed such act. What is even more alarming is that the ages of these victims are getting younger and younger as time passes by. Whenever we hear someone talk about committing suicide, it can be really upsetting on our part; however, these comments or remarks should never be taken lightly or for granted. In dealing with people that have suicidal tendencies, we should always be aware and become informed of the proper ways or techniques in approaching these kinds of situations. Suicidal individuals are always at the edge of their sanity, which means that any wrong move or intervention can already provoke or push them in ending their lives. So what are the proper techniques in facing or dealing a person who is considering suicide?

Always start by asking relevant and sensitive questions

This is actually the first thing that we can do in order to know whether or not a person is in danger of committing suicide. It is important for us to ask direct question; but we should also make sure that we are sensitive in delivering the inquiry as well as our intention of asking. Some of the possible questions to ask include the following:

• Are you thinking of suicide?
• Are you wondering about death?
• Are you thinking of hurting yourself?
• Have you thought of how you would do it?
• Do you have the means in doing the act?
• Do you have a plan on when to do it?
• Do you feel you already like to give up?
• How are you coping with the stresses of your life these days?

These are some of the questions we can try asking a person who is thinking about suicide. It is vital for us to know that asking them direct questions about their suicidal acts or thoughts will not push them to committing something that can cause them to self destruct. In fact, if we are able to offer an opportunity to open up about their feelings can help reduce the risk of acting on suicidal feelings.

Observe and identify the warning signs

It may be difficult for us to determine a person who is about to commit suicide; however, there are actually signs that can help us identify their true intentions. Some of the most common signs of suicidal include making remarks such as “I want to die” or “I wish I were dead”; getting things that can be used in committing the suicidal act such as getting a gun or stocking pills; withdrawing oneself from social contact and wanting to be isolated; experiencing dramatic mood swings such as being emotionally high one day the becoming deeply depressed on the next; always being preoccupied with death, dying or violent actions; expressing the feeling of being trapped or hopeless in a certain situation; using or abusing drugs and alcohol; changing of normal routine, which includes eating and the sleeping patterns; performing risky or self destructive things such as drug overdose and drunk driving; sudden giving away of belongings or getting affairs in order; saying unnecessary goodbyes to people as if they’re not to see each other again; and acting a very different character or personality such as becoming outgoing from being shy.

Once these things are observed, it is important to start questioning the person. If this cannot be handled on our own, we can always seek help of other significant people or people who are experts preventing suicide.

Never leave the suicidal person alone

In case we have already identified some acts that can suggest potential suicidal actions, it is necessary for us not to leave the person alone. We can always call 911 or our local emergency hotline number to ask for help and assistance. If not, we can also try taking the person to the nearest emergency hospital in order for him or her to be provided with the needed supervision. For that, you are going to need a directory of treatment providers in your area, such as this one in Wisconsin. It is important to assess whether or not the person is already under the influence of drugs or any alcohol. This situation must also be disclosed to family and/or close friends in order to gain more support for the person involved. Nevertheless, it is much better to get help from a trained professional as quickly as possible in order to handle the situation better and more effectively. Some can even hospitalize the patient until the suicidal crisis has already passed.

These are some of the simple things that we can do in order to handle critical situations such as a person with suicidal ideations. Suicide is a very sensitive issue that needs to be provided with prompt and proper interventions as soon as possible.