Youth suicide, and suicide generally is not a new thing in our community, but it seems that modern day pressures have exacerbated the issue. The highest number of suicides occurs among males aged 25 to 34 years. Suicide occurs across all socioeconomic levels. It can be an impulsive act or a well thought out plan. All people - not just mental health professionals - can help those people experiencing suicidal thoughts by providing emotional and practical support.
What are the 'warning signs'? Predicting suicide is difficult. Changes in behaviour outside the person's normal range of behaviour, and which do not make sense to those close to them, may be a warning sign. Other warning signs may include:
- Loss of interest in previously pleasurable activities
- Giving away prized possessions
- Problem behaviour and substance misuse
- Apathy in dress and appearance, or a sudden change in weight
- Sudden and striking personality changes
- Withdrawal from friends and social activities
- Increased ‘accident proneness’ and self harming behaviours.
An innumerable amount of issues and life situations can precipitate a suicidal event. Stress can contribute to suicide. A young person may experience an overwhelming and immediate stress, or stress that builds up over a long time.
Stressful episodes can trigger suicide. These include:
- Loss of an important person through death or divorce
- Incest or child abuse
- A sense of failure at school
- A sense of failure in relationships
- Breaking up with a girlfriend or boyfriend
- Experiencing discrimination, isolation and relationship conflicts with family, friends and others because the young person is gay or lesbian
- The recent suicide of a friend or relative, or an anniversary of a suicide or the death of someone close to them.
You maybe able to help, but not always, by doing all or some of the following:
Listen and encourage them to talk, show that you are taking their concern seriously,
- Tell the person you care
- Acknowledge their fears, despair or sadness
- Provide reassurance, but do not dismiss the problem
- Ask if they are thinking of hurting or killing themselves, and if they have a plan
- Point out the consequences of suicide for the person and those they leave behind
- Ensure they do not have access to lethal weapons or medications
- Stay with the person if they are at high risk
- Immediately tell someone else, preferably an adult
- Get help from professionals, offer to go with them to provide support
- Let them know where they can get other help
- Provide contact numbers and assist them to ring if necessary.
- Interrupting with stories of your own
- Panicking or becoming angry
- Being judgmental
- Offering too much advice.
Keep in mind also that:
- You don't have to be a trained professional to help a person experiencing suicidal thoughts.
- Take all suicide threats seriously.
- You can help by offering emotional and practical support, by listening and by helping to link the person with professional help.
