Many people who attempt suicide have a combination of risk factors that make them vulnerable. These may include:. Risk factors are not warning signs.
They are indicators that help us understand what to address in a community or in an individual in order to prevent suicide. Warning signs indicate that someone may be at immediate risk of suicide. Some people will exhibit several warning signs while others will be more secretive and hide their suicidal thoughts carefully. In general, warning signs fall into three main categories: talk, behavior, and mood.
Signs to watch out for include:. Behavior and mood changes are of particular concern when associated with a painful event, loss, or other potential precipitating factor. If you are in crisis and thinking about suicide or you are worried about someone else who is in crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at TALK right away. Lifeline Center calls are free, confidential and available 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
Services are also available via web chat. This can be a family member, a friend, or a spiritual leader, someone who can make suggestions about how to manage your situation. A doctor can help determine if your suicidal thoughts are the result of a medication side-effect or some other underlying medical condition.
Samaritans - UK and Ireland, free to caller Somebody is available at the end of the phone just to listen to you 24 hours a day every day of the year. They are trained to help people understand and deal with their suicidal feelings. They have talked to many people with the same feelings, so they will not be fazed by anything you have to say.
Because there is always someone there to listen to you, it is worth making a note of the number, as that phone call might be a good place to start in a crisis. You can ring their helpline, HOPELineUK, to talk to a trained professional who won't judge and won't lecture - they're just there to offer support and practical advice.
The lines are open from 10 am pm on Monday-Friday, from 2 pm pm at the weekend and from 2 pm-5 pm on Bank holidays. The services are open 5 pm—midnight daily and are free, anonymous and confidential.
Seeing your GP would be a good place to start with trying to deal with your suicidal feelings. The GP will want to know all about how you feel and why you think you might be feeling this way. They will be able to check whether you have any of the signs of depression, or schizophrenia or any of the other mental health disorders mentioned above.
Remember most people but not all with suicidal thoughts have one of these illnesses. Most of these can be successfully treated. For example, if you have depression, a course of antidepressants may totally change the way you feel. After being treated, the suicidal thoughts would settle down. Also if it is a physical illness causing your thoughts, your doctor may be able to help with this, or help you cope with it better.
Having tried to establish the reason or reasons for your feelings, your GP may also be able to refer you for support or specialist help. For example, some people are helped by various different types of talking therapies.
These include counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy CBT. CBT aims to train your brain to look at things differently and react to stressful situations in other ways. This also helps people deal with their emotions in a more positive way.
Alternatively, your GP may feel you need help or support from the mental health services. This is a team of psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurses and social workers who help people with mental health problems, or people who are feeling very suicidal. If they are very concerned about the risk of you killing yourself, the crisis team may support you intensively at home, or you may occasionally be admitted to hospital.
Or they may provide less intensive support and treatment via the clinic or in your home. Sometimes just letting your feelings out, instead of bottling them up, can help.
If there is nobody you feel you can talk to, it may be that writing down how you feel may help. Or you may find art a better way of expressing yourself. Try to look for positive things to make you feel better. List the good things in your life. Consider making a 'distraction box' of things you like.
For example, pictures or photos you like or which remind you of happy times, a favourite CD or book or DVD. Try to eat well. Exercise regularly, as this boosts your 'happy hormones'.
Pamper yourself by arranging occasions or holidays which might help cheer you up, if you can. While attention and support for mental health and mental illness continue to grow, the stigma around suicide continues. Toggle High Contrast icon. Why do people become suicidal?
Negative life events that may be linked to suicidal thoughts Any form of abuse emotional, physical or sexual; past or present Any significant loss the death of a loved one Relationship breakdown Living in remote areas or in social isolation Previous suicide attempts or deliberate self-harm Exposure to suicidal behaviour in others particularly another completed suicide Parental separation or divorce Drug or alcohol abuse Homelessness Failing subjects at school or dropping out of courses Bullying Legal or court action Financial crises job loss, drought, bankruptcy.
Suicide and mental illness Mental illness is a significant risk factor for suicide, though the relationship between the two is complex. In an emergency If you are with someone who is in immediate danger, or concerned for their safety in any way: Call and request an ambulance.
Get Help Now If you are worried about someone, and need someone to talk to, call the Suicide Call Back Service on to speak to a counsellor. If it is an emergency, please call Six signs my friend is depressed and how I can help Depression is not always obvious and there can be many signs something is wrong. Read more. This person should be willing to listen to you with compassion and acceptance. All calls are anonymous and there are counselors available at all times. Your doctor will ask you about your medical history, family history, and personal history.
Your responses can help them determine possible causes for your suicidal feelings. Your doctor may run certain tests if they suspect that a mental illness or medical condition is causing your suicidal thoughts.
The test results can help them pinpoint the exact cause and determine the best course of treatment. Meeting with a therapist on a regular basis allows you to openly express your feelings and discuss any problems you may be having. Unlike friends and family, your therapist is an objective professional who can teach you effective strategies for coping with suicidal thoughts. While occasional thoughts of escaping life are part of being human, serious suicidal thoughts need treatment.
Your doctor can prescribe treatment and refer you to a licensed counselor who can help you work through the challenges of your condition. Through therapy and medication, many formerly suicidal women and men have been able to get past suicidal thoughts and live full, happy lives.
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