Suicide is often a difficult topic to bring up and discuss with others. However, it is very important to be aware of risk factors associated with suicide as well as warning signs that someone is considering suicide so when we are faced with such a situation, we are able to take action and seek help quickly.

Suicide is the intentional ending of one’s own life. There are many feelings and situations that can lead one to such an action, and often people feel as though it is their only way out. People who attempt suicide usually feel overwhelmed, hopeless, helpless, desperate and alone.

Risk factors are characteristics or conditions that increase the chance that a person may try to take their life.

Some of the risk factors for suicide include:

• A previous suicide attempt

• Family history of suicidal behaviour

• A serious physical or mental illness

• Problems with drugs or alcohol

• A major loss, such as the death of a loved one, unemployment, or divorce

• Major life changes or transitions, like those experienced by teenagers and seniors

• Social isolation or lack of a support network

• Family violence

• Access to the means of suicide

An important thing to remember is that mental illnesses may increase the risk of suicide, but everyone at some point in their lives can experience suicidal thoughts. Experiencing risk factors doesn’t necessarily mean someone will think about or attempt to take their own life. We all have different ways of coping with challenges, and strong family relationships and connections also help to balance out difficult or negative life issues.

Some of the warning signs are:

• Ideation: thinking about suicide

• Substance use: increased problems with drugs or alcohol

• Purposelessness: feeling like there is no purpose in life or reason for living

• Anxiety: feeling intense anxiety or feeling overwhelmed and unable to cope

• Trapped: feeling trapped or feeling like there is no way out of a situation

• Hopelessness or Helplessness: feeling no hope for the future, feeling like things will never get better, feeling like a burden to others

• Withdrawal: avoiding family, friends, or activities (calling people to say goodbye)

• Anger: feeling unreasonable anger

• Recklessness: engaging in risky or harmful activities normally avoided

• Mood change: a significant change in mood

The main thing is to be aware of any challenges that the person is facing, keep an eye out for changes in their behaviour, and check in with them if you’re concerned.

Protective factors for suicide

Protective factors buffer individuals from suicidal thoughts and behavior. To date, protective factors have not been studied as extensively or rigorously as risk factors. Identifying and understanding protective factors are, however, equally as important as researching risk factors:

• strong, positive relationships with parents and guardians – feeling secure and supported

• connections to other non-parental adults

• closeness to caring friends

• academic achievement

• school safety

• feeling a sense of belonging to something bigger than themselves – community, culture, religion, sports team

• neighbourhood safety

• awareness of and access to local health services overall resilience

How can I help myself?

If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide, this is often very distressing. Reaching out to experienced doctor’s or mental health professionals is recommended. If you aren’t comfortable seeking professional help on your own, confiding in someone you trust who is close to you is very important. It can be very helpful to talk to others to assist you in finding coping mechanisms which work for you.

If you are in distress, please contact us here at Duduza or browse through our referral network to find help nearest and most appropriate to you.

How can I help others?

It can be very difficult to find ways to help a loved one who you are concerned may be thinking of suicide. It is important to be direct and talk to them, ask them if they are considering suicide. If someone is seriously considering suicide, they may be relieved that someone has noticed that they are struggling and that they now have someone to talk to about it.

The two most important things you can do are listen and help them connect with mental health services.

Below are some steps you can take to help prevent suicide (source):

1. Reach Out – Ask them directly if they are thinking about suicide. It needs to be a direct question that can’t be misinterpreted.

“Are you thinking about suicide?”

Most people with thoughts of suicide want to talk about it. They want to live – but desperately need someone to hear their pain and offer them help to keep safe.

2. Listen to them – Allow them to express their feelings. Let them do most of the talking. They will often feel a great sense of relief someone wants to talk to them about their darkest thoughts.

3. Check their safety – If you are really worried don’t leave them alone. Remove any means of suicide including weapons, medications, drugs, alcohol, even access to a car. Get help.

4. Decide what to do and take action – Talk about steps you can take together to keep them safe. Don’t agree to keep it a secret, you shouldn’t be the only one supporting this person. You may need help from someone else to persuade them to get help. You can also help by finding out information on what resources and services are available for a person who is considering suicide.

5. Ask for a promise – Thoughts of suicide may return, so ask them to promise to reach out and tell someone. Asking them to promise makes it more likely they will tell someone.

6. Get help – There are lots of services and people that can help and provide assistance.

• GP (doctor)

• Counsellor, psychologist, social worker

• School Counsellor

• Emergency Services

• Community Health Centres

• Seek support from family and friends, youth group leader, sports coach, priest, minister or religious leader etc.

Supporting a loved one can be a difficult experience for anyone, so it’s important to take care of your own mental health during this time and seek support if you need it. In some situations they may refuse help and you can’t force them to get help. You need to ensure the appropriate people are aware of the situation. Don’t shoulder this responsibility yourself.

Sources:

• http://www.cmha.ca/mental_health/preventing-suicide/#.WSU3L1WGPIU

• https://afsp.org/about-suicide/risk-factors-and-warning-signs/

• https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/suicide/riskprotectivefactors.html

• U.S. Public Health Service. The surgeon general’s call to action to prevent suicide. Washington DC: US Department of Health and Human Services; 1999.

• https://healthyfamilies.beyondblue.org.au/age-13/mental-health-conditions-in-young-people/suicide/risk-factors-for-suicide

• Suicide Prevention Resource Center, & Rodgers, P. (2011). Understanding risk and protective

factors for suicide: A primer for preventing suicide. Newton, MA: Education Development Center, Inc.

• https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/how-we-can-all-prevent-suicide/

• https://www.lifeline.org.au/get-help/topics/preventing-suicide

• https://www.helpguide.org/

Disclaimer: The information found on Duduza.org is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, medical treatment, or therapy. Always seek the advice of your physician or qualified mental health provider with any questions you may have regarding any mental health symptom or medical condition. Never disregard professional psychological or medical advice nor delay in seeking professional advice or treatment because of something you have read on Duduza.org.