Knowing Risk Factors and Warning Signs of Suicide May Save A Life
Knowing Risk Factors and Warning Signs of Suicide May Save A Life
Knowing Risk Factors and Warning Signs of Suicide May Save A Life
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The news of Robin Williams’ suicide seems to be everywhere. It has left people confused and unable to understand why someone
who seemed to have it all would suddenly take it all away. But we don’t know the inner turmoil he may have faced.
But the good news is that people who feel suicidal often leave us warning signs telling us of their intentions before anything ever
happens. We just have to know those signs and listen closely.
The reality is, most people don’t want to die. They just want the pain to stop.
“Suicide continues to be a national health issue,” said Christine Moutier, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of the American Foundation
for Suicide Prevention. “At AFSP we advocate for greater investment in suicide prevention research and education in schools,
communities, workplaces, and families.”
Risk factors for suicide are characteristics that increase the chance that a person may try to take her or his life. Suicide risk tends to
be highest when someone has several risk factors at the same time.
According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), the most frequently cited risk factors for suicide are people
with mental disorders, in particular:
It is important to bear in mind that the large majority of people with mental disorders or other suicide risk factors do not engage in
suicidal behavior.
Most of the time, people who kill themselves also show one or more of the following warning signs before they take action:
Talking about wanting to kill themselves, or saying they wish they were dead
Looking for a way to kill themselves, such as hoarding medicine or buying a gun
Talking about a specific suicide plan
Feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
Feeling trapped, desperate, or needing to escape from an intolerable situation
Having the feeling of being a burden to others
Feeling humiliated
Having intense anxiety and/or panic attacks
Losing interest in things, or losing the ability to experience pleasure
Insomnia
Becoming socially isolated and withdrawn from friends, family, and others
Acting irritable or agitated
Showing rage, or talking about seeking revenge for being victimized or rejected, whether or not the situations the
person describes seem real
Individuals who show such behaviors should be evaluated by a mental health professional for possible suicide risk.
Take it seriously. About 50 percent to 75 percent of all people who attempt suicide tell someone about their intention. If someone
you know shows the warning signs above, the time to act is now.
Ask Questions
Begin by telling the suicidal person you are concerned. Tell him specifically what he has said or done that makes you feel concerned
about suicide. Don’t be afraid to ask whether the person is considering suicide, and whether he has a particular plan or method in
mind. These questions will not push him toward suicide if he was not considering it.
Ask if he is seeing a clinician or is taking medication so the treating person can be contacted.
Do not try to argue someone out of suicide. Instead, let him know that you care, that he is not alone and that he can get help. Avoid
pleading and preaching to him with statements such as, “You have so much to live for,” or “Your suicide will hurt your family.”
Encourage the person to see a physician or mental health professional immediately. People considering suicide often believe they
cannot be helped. If you can, assist him in identifying a professional and in scheduling an appointment. If he will let you, go to the
appointment with him.
Take Action
If the person is threatening, talking about, or making specific plans for suicide, this is a crisis requiring immediate attention. Do not
leave the person alone. Remove any firearms, drugs, or sharp objects that could be used for suicide from the area.
Take the person to a walk-in clinic at a psychiatric hospital or a hospital emergency room. Call 911 or the National Suicide
Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for assistance.
Follow-Up on Treatment
Still skeptical that they can be helped, the suicidal person may need your support to continue with treatment after the first session.
If medication is prescribed, support the person to take it exactly as prescribed. Be aware of possible side effects, and notify the
person who prescribed the medicine if the suicidal person seems to be getting worse, or resists taking the medicine. The doctor can
often adjust the medications or dosage to work better for them.
Help the person understand that it may take time and persistence to find the right medication and the right therapist. Offer your
encouragement and support throughout the process, until the suicidal crisis has passed.