How March 16, 2007
Posted by Han in : Life's Challenge , trackbackLook up for the warning signs?
Some warning signs that a person may want to commit suicide:
1) Constantly expressing a sense of hopelessness, helplessness or desperation.
2) Behaving abnormally such as recklessness in someone who is normally very careful.
3) Sleeplessness, withdrawal, loss of appetite, loss of interest in normal activities.
4) A sudden and unusual change to a cheerful outgoing person.
5) Giving away possessions to friends and family members.
6) Making preparation for death such as preparing a will and talk about final wishes to someone close.
7) Always talking about death or express intent to die.
Note: Anyone that talks about dying should be taken very seriously. Please do not ignore them!
How to prevent someone from committing suicide?
1) If you noticed someone may have suicidal attempt, please take action.
2) Make effort to speak to the person directly.
3) Do not try to dominate the conversation, just listen. Listen attentively without any judgment.
4) Empathize the person.
5) Never be afraid to talk for suicide. In fact, talking about suicide can minimize the chances that someone will act on suicidal feelings. There is almost no risk that raising the topic with someone who is not considering suicide will prompt the person to do it.
6) Find a safe place to talk with the person, and allow as much time as necessary.
7) Assure the person your concern and your respect for the person’s privacy.
8) Ask the person about recent events, and encourage the person to express his/her feelings freely.
9) Ask whether the person feels desperate enough to consider suicide. If the answer is yes, ask, “Do you have a plan? How and where do you intend to kill yourself?”
10) Admit your own concern and fear if the person tells you that he/she is thinking about suicide but DO NOT react by saying, ‘You shouldn’t be having these thoughts; things can’t be that bad.”
11) Remember, you are being trusted with someone’s deepest feelings. Although it may upset you, talking about those feeling will bring the person relief.
12) Ask if there is anything you can do. Talk about resources that can be drawn on (family, friends, church, community agencies, or counseling center) to render support, practical assistance, counseling or treatment.
13) Make a plan with the person for the next few hours or days. Make contacts with him/her or on his/her behalf. If possible, go with the person to get help.
14) Let the person know when you can be available, and then make sure you are available at those times. Also, make sure your limits are known, and try to arrange that there is always someone that he/she can call at any time of day.
15) Ask who else knows about the suicidal feelings. Are there other people who should know? Is the person willing to tell them? Unfortunately, not everyone will treat this issue of importance. Confidentiality is important, but do not keep the situation secret if a life is obviously in danger.
16) Stay in touch with the person to see how he/she has been coping. Praise the person for having the courage to trust you and for continuing to live and struggle.
17) Encourage the person to prayer and hand the entire situation to God. If possible, pray whenever meet together and also pray on the phone.
18) Remember, our strength is limited and God’s strength is limitless. We must depend on God at all situations.
What to do if someone commit suicide?
A person may try to commit suicide without any warning or despite numerous efforts have been put in. If you are involved in giving first aid, make every effort to be calm and reassuring, and get medical help immediately.
The time following an attempt is critical. The person should receive intensive care during this time. Maintain regular contact, and work with the person to organize support. It is vital that he/she does not feel cut off or shunned as a result of attempting suicide.
Be aware that, if someone is intent on dying, you may not be able to stop it from happening. You cannot and should not carry the responsibility for someone else’s choice.
What can you do if you are feeling suicidal?
The beginning of the way out is to let someone else in. This is very hard to do because, if you feel so desperate that suicide seems to be the only solution, you are likely very frightened and ashamed.
There is no reason to be ashamed of feeling suicidal and no reason to feel ashamed for seeking help. You are not alone; many people have felt suicidal when facing difficult times and have survived, usually returning to quite normal lives.
Take the risk of telling your feelings to someone you know and trust: a relative, friend, social service worker, or a member of a church. There are many ways to cope and get support. The sense of desperation and the wish to die will not go away at once, but it will pass.
Regaining your will to live is more important than anything else at the moment.
All the Best,
Han
Related Article: Is committing suicide the only solution?
Comments»
suicide…
what a foolish way to end one’s life
and destroying the best blessing God has ever bestow on us…
Dear Cody,
What you say is right - it’s a foolish way but to those who wanted to commit suicide, there is no other better way! So let us spread the “WAY” to them. God bless.
Yup it is a foolish way, but when falling depression, suicide seems to be the right thing to do.
I have experience that, when I think back I realize how stupid I was, I was not thinking properly. At that moment I felt helpless.
So, when you see someone falling depression, give them a helping hand, that makes a difference.