Note: If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Your life matters.
Death by suicide has been rising dramatically all over the United States; according to the National Public Radio (NPR), approximately 45,000 lives were taken in 2016 by suicide. More celebrities and high-profile individuals are losing their lives, including fashion designer Kate Spade, chef, author, and host Anthony Bourdain, Alan O’Neill, Verne Troyer from Austin Powers, and more solely in 2018, as stated by U.S. Magazine. Suicide is devastating and effects everyone – friends, family, coworkers, and more, as the entire world suffers with each life that is lost. By recognizing the signs that someone may need help, you could save a life.
Recognizing that someone may be having suicidal thoughts can be difficult because you may really have to pay attention to subtle cues. If you notice that your loved one is doing any of the following, these could be warning signs that they need immediate help:
- Talking about suicide – if they are talking about harming themselves or taking their own life, this could be a major warning sign of suicide.
- Having a mental illness or severe depression – some mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder can cause depressive bouts that reign heavily on suicidal thoughts.
- Excessive feelings of guilt – oftentimes, if a person feels they have “damaged” too many lives or “caused” too many problems, their line of thinking may lead them towards suicide.
- Substance abuse – your loved one may be abusing substances such as drugs or alcohol due to the internal pain they are feeling, which could lead to them overdosing or harming themselves.
- Withdrawing – many people with suicidal thoughts tend to retract from life activities; they may attempt to cut out many people in their lives, and stop attending events that they used to enjoy. This is a big warning sign that something much bigger is taking place.
The best thing you can do if you believe your loved one may be having suicidal thoughts is to talk to them and provide your support. All too often, conversations go unspoken – and many lives are lost to this tragedy. Refer your loved one to a support group, therapy, an organization, and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to ensure they get the help they need. By spending more time on what our loved ones are going through, we could save more lives.
Avalon Malibu is a world-renowned, California state-licensed mental health and substance abuse recovery center. If you are ready to seek treatment to develop the tools you need to overcome life’s obstacles and be on the road towards happiness, health, and well-being, call us today at 888-958-7511 for a consultation. It’s never too late, and there are people here ready to help you.
