Can we identify people who are at high risk for ending their own lives and get them the help they need? The answer is Yes. We can. It is now possible to more accurately spot these individuals and effectively intervene than it has ever been. This hopeful answer is especially important today in the wake… Read more »
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There are many commonly held beliefs about suicide that keep us from trying to help people at risk. Here are some of the typical misconceptions about suicide that are NOT true: Most suicides are caused by one particular trigger event. A person who attempts suicide has to feel bad about themselves for a long period… Read more »
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Helping Friends Who May Be Suicidal If you have a friend who is distressed, depressed or unusually troubled by family problems, bad grades, or recent breakup of a relationship, don’t be afraid to ask if he or she would like to talk with you. Listen with empathy, ask directly about any suicidal thoughts or plans,… Read more »
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Surviving the Loss of a Loved One by Suicide If you have lost someone to suicide, the most important thing you should know is that you are not alone. One of every 65 Americans has lost a loved one to suicide, and there are 4.6 million survivors in the United States alone. Like you, the… Read more »
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The Role of Teachers in Preventing Suicide As a teacher you are in the position to reach out to student at risk for suicide Youth suicides, or suicide attempts, rarely take place in schools, but many young people who are at risk of suicide attend school and exhibit warning signs. When teachers recognize theses signs… Read more »
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Suicide is the third leading cause of death among youth between 14 and 24 years of age and the fourth leading cause of death for those aged 10-14. However, suicide can be prevented. It is important to know the warning signs in young people who may be contemplating taking their own lives. Be sure to… Read more »
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Here are some suggestions for supportive tools that you can create now to help you at those times when you are feeling down and distressed. When you start to feel bad, take them out and go through them; read them, examine them, listen to them; they are there to remind you that you want to… Read more »
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Here are some ways you can help a person at risk for suicide: Engage – Engage the person at risk in a personable way, use eye contact, give your full attention, don’t let yourself get distracted. Explore – Explore their situation from his or her point of view by encouraging the open expression of their… Read more »
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When you are assisting someone who you feel may be suicidal, there are certain things you should do and certain things you should not. Here, briefly, are some of the DOs and DONT’S of suicide prevention: DOs Be aware. Learn the warning signs Get involved. Become available. Show interest and support. Ask if she or… Read more »
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In a March 1 blog, Time Magazine‘s Joe Klein reported that “during the month of January, more soldiers committed suicide (24) than were killed by enemy fire in Afghanistan and Iraq combined (16).” Sadly, this upsetting statistic comes as neither a freak occurrence nor a great shock, as it points beyond itself to a longstanding,… Read more »
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