Suicide Intervention
Suicide Statistics:
One is Too Many
What Should We Look For?
Stress Life Situations:
- Relationship Issues
- Loss of Job, Position, Assignment
- Death of a Loved One or Acquaintance
- Undesired Change of Environment
- Perceived Failure in any life area
- Loss of Control
Signs of Depression:
- Isolation from friends and family
- Feelings of helplessness, hopelessness
- Changes in appearance and mood
- Changes in sleep or eating habits
- More irritable, short-tempered or aggressive
- Increased Self-medicating
- Loss of interest
- Unexplained aches and pains
- Gives away belongings
- Self-loathing
Greater Risks If:
- History of suicide attempts
- Family history of depression and suicide
- Little or no support system
- Alcohol or substance abuse
Immediate Danger Signs:
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Talking about suicide
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Giving away possessions
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Suddenly at peace
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Discusses a plan
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Obsession with death
What To Do If You Believe Someone Is Suicidal:
Trust your suspicions
Do Not leave them alone
Ask
Be supportive
Contact or refer to appropriate sources
Suicide starts out as just a brief thought
Then it becomes an option
Then a better and better option
Then it looks like the best way out
Finally it looks like the only way out
Intervention Versus Prevention
By the time someone reaches the point where suicide is an option, it means that they are feeling out of control of their own lives. Prevention is the key to avoiding a crisis from personal and job-related problems. Intervention is what you do to help once someone is already in crisis. Our goal is to provide the support and resources to someone before they are in crisis.
Helping someone who may be suicidal
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Take all suicidal comments and behaviors seriously
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Initiate a conversation. Express your concern
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Listen closely without being judgmental
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Bring the issue of suicide into the open. Ask about the person’s current circumstances, thoughts and feelings.
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Determine if there is a plan. The more detailed and complete the plan, the greater the suicidal risk
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It is ok to talk about these thoughts, help to provide realistic hope
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If you have a reasonable belief that they are imminently suicidal, do not leave him/her alone
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Call someone or take them somewhere for a professional assessment
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Do not keep a “suicidal secret”.
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Follow up as appropriate