Skip to main content

Suicide: Causes and Prevention


When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown. He put his house in order and then hanged himself. So he died and was buried in his father’s tomb - 2 Samuel 17:23
Suicidal thoughts, or suicidal ideation, means thinking about or planning suicide.Thoughts can range from a detailed plan to a fleeting consideration. It does not include the final act of suicide.
Suicidal thoughts are common, and many people experience them when they are undergoing stressor experiencing depression. In most cases, these are temporary and can be treated, but in some cases, they place the individual at risk for attempting or completing suicide.
Most people who experience suicidal ideation do not carry it through, although some may make suicide attempts.
Anyone who has suicidal thoughts should ask for help. If a loved one is having these thoughts, measures should be taken to help and protect them.
A person who is experiencing or could experience suicidal thoughts may show the following signs or symptoms:
  • feeling or appearing to feel trapped or hopeless
  • feeling intolerable emotional pain
  • having or appearing to have an abnormal preoccupation with violence, dying, or death
  • having mood swings, either happy or sad
  • talking about revenge, guilt, or shame
  • being agitated, or in a heightened state of anxiety
  • experiencing changes in personality, routine, or sleeping patterns
  • consuming drugs or more alcohol than usual, or starting drinking when they had not previously done so
  • engaging in risky behavior, such as driving carelessly or taking drugs
  • getting their affairs in order and giving things away
  • getting hold of a gun, medications, or substances that could end a life
  • experiencing depression, panic attacks, impaired concentration
  • increased isolation
  • talking about being a burden to others
  • psychomotor agitation, such as pacing around a room, wringing one's hands, and removing items of clothing and putting them back on
  • saying goodbye to others as if it were the last time
  • seeming to be unable to experience pleasurable emotions from normally pleasurable life events such as eating, exercise, social interaction, or sex
  • severe remorse and self criticism
  • talking about suicide or dying, expressing regret about being alive or ever having been born
A significant number of people with suicidal ideation keep their thoughts and feelings a secret and show no signs that anything is wrong.

Causes

Suicidal ideation can occur when a person feels they are no longer able to cope with an overwhelming situation. This could stem from financial problems, death of a loved on, a broken relationship, or a devastating or debilitating illness.
The most common situations or life events that might cause suicidal thoughts are grief, sexual abuse, financial problems, remorse, rejection, a relationship breakup, and unemployment.

Prevention

Family and friends may notice through a person's speech or behavior that they could be at risk.
They can help by talking to the person and by seeking appropriate support, for example, from a doctor.
The National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH) suggests the following tips for helping someone who may be going through a crisis:
  • Asking them if they are thinking about suicide. Studies show that asking does not increase the risk.
  • Keeping them safe by staying around and removing means of committing suicide, such as knives, where possible
  • Listening to them and being there for them
  • Encouraging them to call a helpline or contacting someone the individual might turn to for support, for example, a friend, family member, or spiritual mentor
  • Following up with them after the crisis has passed, as this appears to reduce the risk of a recurrence
Other tips include keeping some emergency phone numbers at hand, for example, a trusted friend, a helpline, and the person's doctor.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Made a Way: The Story Behind The Song

Made a way is a song written and sang by award winning artist Travis Greene in the year 2015. Many people knows the song but few actually know the story behind the song. The song was actually borne out of a personal testimony of Travis Greene. According to the artist, 'Made a Way' was written during an impossible situation. His pregnant wife’s water broke at 21 weeks, when pregnancy normally takes between 37-42 weeks. The doctors said the possibility of the baby’s survival is slim to none, and it was during this period when his wife was on bed rest for two months that he wrote the song. There was nothing else for them to hold on to but faith, and the good news is that as slim as the chance was, it didn’t break because faith held it together and today their baby boy is alive.  When Jesus was on His way to heal Jairus’s daughter and news came that things had gone from bad to worse, that the girl was dead. Jesus overheard and said, "Don't be upset. Just trust me...
Post a Comment
Read more

Song Lyrics: Status is Changing

Pastor Andre Jones of the sacred Assembly, United States, wrote a song that has brought comfort to many through out the world Many artists has cover the song notably Vashawn Mitchell, Mario Ese & the Tribe of Benjamin. The lyrics for the song goes thus: "We're connected to this world through our senses By what's tangible and easy to comprehend  There are days when it seems We're going nowhere fast Trust your faith to show you the truth Give a listen to what faith says to you:  "Our status is changing, there's no more decline I'm on my way to better days. Our status is changing, there's no more decline I'm on my way to better days.  My status is changing, there's no more decline I'm on my way to better days  Better days are in You, Jesus... My better life is in You, Jesus... Life's changing is in You, Jesus... My success is in You, Jesus... All I have to do is to look to You... Better days are with You... My f...
15 comments
Read more

Song: These Walls

You are good and do good;....  - Psalm 119:68  Few months back, I came across an inspiring song by Jason David who happens to be a pastor.  He was diagnosed with cancer. After a year-long fight with cancer that claimed much of his tongue, Pastor Jason David refuses to stop singing. "These Walls" is an original worship song he wrote that became his anthem as he fought through several surgeries, chemotherapy & radiation. For someone going through challenges; financial, health, marital, academic, whatever it may be, I pray this song will bless you - no matter what walls or mountains you may face, God is greater & God is good!  Below are the lyrics of the song: Verse: You are greater than these walls I'm circling  You are stronger than these army  I see You are bigger than these mountains that I faced And I will choose only to praise You. Pre - Chorus  This is my song, these is my dare To worship you even as thes...
Post a Comment
Read more