Suicide Is Preventable -

As I was scrolling through my Facebook feed the other day, I came across a photograph of a man on a bridge. His standing outside the rail, on the ledge, led me to believe he was attempting to end his life. The picture caught my eye because the man was being held by the arms and hands of several complete strangers. From inside the rails, on the bridge, they held him until help arrived. Meeting him in his despair, these people shared empathy. Through kindness and compassion, they showed that suicide is preventable.

What Leads To Suicide?

It should be said that suicidal thoughts and actions are a sign of extreme distress, not a harmless bid for attention, and should not be ignored. There is no single cause for suicide. It often occurs when stressors and health issues converge to create an experience of hopelessness and despair.

Some Statistics And Facts:

48,000 people die by suicide each year.
It is the tenth leading cause of death worldwide.
There is an estimated 10 to 20 million non-fatal attempted suicides every year. Non-fatal suicide attempts may lead to injury and long-term disabilities. In the western world, attempts are among young people and females.
Suicide is the forth leading cause of death for people ages 18-65
It is the second leading cause of death in those 10-34 years of age.
Men are four times more likely to than women to die by suicide.
Firearms are the most common method for men to die by suicide.
Depression is one of the leading causes of suicide attempts across all ages
60% of teens who die by suicide show warning signs.

What Are The Warning Signs?

Most people who take their lives exhibit one or more warning signs, either through what they say or what they do.

Talking – If a Person Talks about:

Wanting to die.
Great guilt of shame.
Being a burden to others.

Feeling:

Empty, hopeless, trapped, or having no reason to live.
Extremely sad, more anxious, agitated, or full of rage.
Unbearable emotional or physical pain.

Changing Behavior, such as:

Making a plan or researching ways to die.
Withdrawing from friends, saying goodbye, giving away important items, or making a will.
Taking dangerous steps such as driving extremely fast.
Displaying extreme mood swings.
Eating or sleeping more or less.
Using drugs and alcohol more often.

A True Story From Me:

When I first moved out on my own, I got a little 1 bedroom apartment for myself, my Iguana, and my Dog. A few months after I moved in, the lady that lived in the place across the hall from me moved out. The apartment sat vacant for a few weeks. Then a man in his thirties moved in. He did not bring any furniture with him, just a small duffle bag. In the daylight, I saw him once and said hello to him. He kept to himself and said nothing. He seemed melancholy and depressed. I never saw him leave his place.

About a month later, there was a frantic knock at my door. I looked through the peep hole and he was standing outside my door. He kept knocking but, I chose not to answer. I was alone and he seemed anxious. A few weeks later, my dog kept barking at the door and the wall to where his apartment was. Then, there was a smell. Saving the details, I will tell you that the man in that apartment across the hall from me took his life in the bathtub with the gun that he had carried in that bag when he moved in.

I am in my forties now. I have seen and experienced a great many things in all these years. But I will never forget that man standing at my door. If I could go back, I would answer the door and be one of those people from the story on that bridge at the beginning of this post. I would hold on to that man with all my might until help could arrive.

How Can You Help Someone with suicidal thoughts?

Ask questions. What is going on? How can I help you? What are you feeling? Etc.
Listen to whatever the person needs to say. Be present.
Stay. Do not leave the person alone in their despair.
Secure them. Make sure you are doing all you can to have them in a safe environment. Do not let them leave.
Call the suicide prevention lifeline (800-273-8255) or emergency services (911).
Visit go USA for information on places you can go and people you can talk to.