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NIMH " Suicide in America: Frequently Asked Questions

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This fact sheet can help you, or a friend or family member, learn about the signs and symptoms, risk factors and warning signs, and ongoing research about suicide and suicide prevention.

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This website explains the different reason of suicide

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[Article updated on 17 September 2017]

The Roman Catholic Church has long argued that one's life is the property of God and thus that to commit suicide is to deride God's prerogatives. The counterargument, by philosopher David Hume (1711-1776) is that, if such is the case, then to save someone's life is also to deride God's prerogatives.

Most religions share the Church's belief in the sanctity of life, although a few have come to regard at least some suicides as honourable. For example, a number of Tibetan monks have killed themselves in protest against the Chinese occupation of Tibet-although this is perhaps more a case of self-sacrifice than suicide proper.

Legal systems have historically been informed by religion, such that in many jurisdictions suicide and attempted suicide are still illegal. The very expression 'commit suicide' implies or at least suggests a crime or sin. In late 2014, the Indian government moved to decriminalize 'attempt to suicide' by deleting Section 209 of the Penal Code from the statute book. Under the said section, a suicide bid could be punished with a prison term of up to one year.

In the UK, the Suicide Act of 1961 decriminalized attempted suicide and suicide, but voluntary euthanasia remains a crime. This may change as the voice of pro-choicers becomes louder than that of pro-lifers. Broadly speaking, pro-choicers argue that a person's life belongs to no one but himself, and that his decision to commit suicide, especially if justified as a rational solution to real problems such as chronic and disabling pain, should be respected and assisted. In contrast, pro-lifers believe that a person's life is not his to take, regardless of circumstances.

Some of the stronger arguments in favour of voluntary euthanasia are that it preserves dignity, prevents suffering, and frees up valuable healthcare resources. On the other side of the argument, a person with a physical or mental disorder may lack the mental capacity to make a rational decision about such an important issue, or may feel pressured into making a decision, and, of course, cannot change his mind once he is dead. Moreover, voluntary euthanasia is difficult to regulate, and could be open to abuse by doctors and relatives keen to unburden themselves and free up or inherit resources.

Unlike most people, some philosophers do not think about suicide in terms of ethics. Existentialist philosophers in particular turn the tables round by arguing that life has no meaning and therefore that there is no reason not to commit suicide. Rather, a person must justify not committing suicide by giving his life a meaning and fulfilling his unique potential through this meaning.

As philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre (1905-1980) mused:

One is still what one is going to cease to be and already what one is going to become. One lives one's death, one dies one's life.

Nihilistic (from the Latin nihil, 'nothing') philosophers differ from existentialist philosophers in that they believe that a person cannot justify his life even by giving it an individual meaning. For nihilistic philosophers, nothing can have a meaning, not even suicide itself.

Interesting as this may all be, suicide is seldom the product of rational deliberation, the so-called 'rational suicide', but mostly an act of uncontrollable anguish and despair.

Around 1755, David Hume, who suffered from melancholy, published On Suicide and On the Immortality of the Soul in a book of essays entitled Five Dissertations. Unfortunately, pre-release copies of Five Dissertations stirred up such controversy that both essays had to be removed.

In On Suicide, Hume argues that, though only 'one step' could put an end to his misery, man dares not commit suicide because of 'a vain fear lest he offend his Maker'. This, combined with his natural fear of death, makes it 'all the more difficult for him to be free'. Hume proposes to 'restore men to their native liberty' by examining all the common arguments against suicide and demonstrating that suicide is 'free from every imputation of guilt or blame'.

According to Hume, God established the laws of nature and enabled all animals, including man, to make use of them by entrusting them with certain bodily and mental powers. Owing to this interaction between the laws of nature and the powers of animals, God has no need to be involved in the world: '...the providence of the Deity appears not immediately in any operation, but governs everything by those general and immutable laws, which have been established from the beginning of time.'

Given this state of affairs, man employs the powers with which he has been invested to provide as best as possible for his 'ease, happiness, or preservation'. If this should bring him to commit suicide, then so be it: the interaction between the laws of nature and the powers of man clearly permit it, so why should it pose an exception? Thus, suicide is permissible even if one adopts a religious stance.

For Hume:

The life of man is of no greater importance to the universe than that of an oyster... I thank Providence, both for the good which I have already enjoyed, and for the power with which I am endowed of escaping the ill that threatens me.

Natural philosopher Pliny the Elder (23-79) goes one step further than Hume in his Natural History by regarding the ability to commit suicide as the one advantage that man possesses over God:

God cannot give himself death even if he wishes, but man can do so at any time he chooses.

A common argument against suicide is that it is selfish and harms the individuals and society that are left behind. For Hume, a person does no harm in committing suicide, but merely ceases to do good. Assuming that he is under some obligation to do good, this obligation comes to an end with death; and even if it does not, and he is under a perpetual obligation to do good, this should not come at the expense of greater harm to himself, that is, at the expense of prolonging a miserable existence for some 'frivolous advantage that the public may perhaps receive'. In some cases, a person may have become a burden to society, and so may actually do most good by committing suicide. In such cases, says Hume, suicide is better than morally neutral. It is morally good.

Regardless of the morality or permissibility of committing suicide, suicide entails death, and so the question naturally arises as to whether death should or should not be feared. In his influential paper of 1970, tersely entitled Death, philosopher Thomas Nagel (born 1937) addresses precisely this question: if death is the permanent end of our existence, is it an evil?

Either death is an evil because it deprives us of life, or it is a mere blank because there is no one left to experience this deprivation. Thus, if death is an evil, this is not in virtue of any positive attribute that it has, but in virtue of what it deprives us from, namely, life. For Nagel, the bare experience of life is intrinsically valuable, regardless of the balance of its good and bad elements.

The longer we are alive, the more we 'accumulate' life. In contrast, death cannot be accumulated-it is not 'an evil of which Shakespeare has so far received a larger portion than Proust'. Most people would not consider the temporary suspension of life as an evil, nor would they regard the long period before they were born as an evil. Therefore, if death is an evil this is not because it involves a period of non-existence, but because it deprives us of life.

Nagel draws three objections to this view, but only so as to later counter them. First, it is doubtful whether anything can be an evil unless it actually causes displeasure. Second, in the case of death there is no subject left on whom to impute an evil. As long as we exist, we have not yet died; and once we have died, we no longer exist. So there seems to be no time at which the evil of death might occur. Third, if most people would not regard the long period before they were born as an evil, then why should they regard the period after they are dead any differently?

Nagel counters these three objections by arguing that the good or evil that befalls us depends on our history and possibilities rather than on our momentary state, such that an evil can befall us even if we are not here to experience it. For instance, if an intelligent person receives a head injury that reduces his mental condition to that of a contented infant, this should be considered a serious evil even if the person himself (in his current state) is oblivious to his fate.

Thus, if the three objections are invalid, it is essentially because they ignore the direction of time.

Even though we cannot survive our death, we can still suffer evil; and even though we do not exist during the time before our birth and the time after our death, the time after our death is time of which we have been deprived, time in which we could have carried on enjoying the good of living.

The question remains as to whether the non-realization of further life is an absolute evil, or whether this depends on what can naturally be hoped for: the death of Keats at 24 is commonly regarded as tragic, but that of Tolstoy at 82 (even though he died of pneumonia in a hitherto obscure train station) is not.

'The trouble,' says Nagel, 'is that life familiarizes us with the goods of which death deprives us... Death, no matter how inevitable, is an abrupt cancellation of indefinitely extensive goods.'

Read my related article, Fighting Suicidal Thoughts

Neel Burton is author of Growing from Depression, The Meaning of Madness, Heaven and Hell: The Psychology of the Emotions and other books.

Find Neel Burton on Twitter and Facebook.

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Article updated on 17 September 2017] The Roman Catholic Church has long argued that one's life is the property of God and thus that to commit suicide is to deride God's prerogatives. The counterargument, by philosopher David Hume (1711-1776) is that, if such is the case, then to save someone's life is also to deride God's prerogatives.

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Anyone can act to help someone through a moment of crisis. These Thank You postcards demonstrate all the ways that healing, hope, and help are happening every day. If you are in crisis right now, call 1-800-273-8255 or start a chat to get help.

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Anyone can act to help someone through a moment of crisis. These Thank You postcards demonstrate all the ways that healing, hope, and help are happening every day. If you are in crisis right now, call 1-800-273-8255 or start a chat to get help.

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There is always hope for the people who are thinking about suicide dont ever think there is npot hope if you are thinking about suicide always find and seek help !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Are you thinking about suicide? How to stay safe and find treatment

Hopelessness may lead you to think about suicide. Learn how to stay safe, get through a crisis and find treatment.
By Mayo Clinic Staff
When life does not seem worth living anymore, it may seem that the only way to find relief is through suicide. When you're feeling this way, it may be hard to believe that you have other options.

Take a moment to step back and separate your emotions from your actions. When you feel depressed and think there's no hope, it's much harder to make reasonable decisions. But problems that bring on suicidal feelings can be treated.

It may not be easy, and you might not feel better overnight. Eventually, though, the sense of hopelessness - and thoughts of taking your life - will lift.

Get help right away

If you think you may hurt yourself or take your life, get help right away by taking one of these actions:

Call a mental health specialist.

Contact a suicide hotline.

In the U.S., call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24 hours a day, every day. Or use the Lifeline Chat. Services are free and private.

U.S. veterans or service members who are in crisis can call 988 and then press "1" for the Veterans Crisis Line. Or text 838255. Or chat online.

The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the U.S. has a Spanish-language phone line at 1-888-628-9454 (toll-free).

Call 911 or your local emergency number.

Seek help from your doctor or another health care professional.

Reach out to a close friend or loved one.

Contact a minister, spiritual leader or someone else in your faith community.

Learn ways to cope and solve problems

Do not try to manage suicidal thoughts or behavior on your own. You need professional help and support to overcome the problems linked to thoughts about taking your life.

Your doctor or mental health professional can help you learn different ways to cope and solve problems. Consider talking about these coping strategies with people who know you well, such as family members or trusted friends.

You may be urged to do things you do not feel like doing, such as talking with friends when you'd rather stay in your bedroom all day. It will get easier to do these things as they become habits.

Make a plan for life

Create a written plan of action or a "safety plan" with your mental health professional. You can refer to this plan when you're thinking about suicide or are in a crisis. A safety plan includes what makes you think about suicide and how you can cope with those thoughts. Learn to spot your warning signs early, so you can put your plan into action.

Your plan is a checklist of activities and actions you promise to do to stay safe when you have thoughts of suicide, such as:

Contact your doctor, therapist or crisis center to help you cope with thoughts of taking your life.

Call a supportive family member or friend who can help you cope with your suicidal thoughts.

Try specific healthy and enjoyable activities when negative thoughts start to intrude.

Review why your life is valuable and the reasons to live.

Even if the immediate crisis passes, see a doctor or mental health professional. This will help you get the right treatment for suicidal thoughts and depression so that you do not always have to be in crisis mode.

As part of your plan, take these steps:

Follow your treatment plan. Commit to taking your medicine as prescribed and attending all treatment sessions and appointments.

Keep a list of contact names and numbers available. Include your doctors, therapists and crisis centers that can help you cope with thoughts of taking your life. Include friends or loved ones who agree to be available as part of your safety plan.

Remove possible means of killing yourself. This may include ridding your home of guns, razors, or other objects you could use to hurt or kill yourself. If possible, give your medicines to someone who can keep them for you and help you take them as prescribed.

Schedule daily activities. Activities that calm and comfort you can make a difference - such as listening to music, watching a funny movie or visiting a park. Or try something different. Because physical activity and exercise may reduce depression symptoms, think about walking, jogging, swimming, gardening or trying a new activity.

Get together with others. Create your support network by reaching out to friends, family and people who care about you and are there when you need them. Try to be social, even if you do not feel like it. This will help keep you from becoming isolated.

Join a support group. Joining a support group can help you cope with suicidal thoughts and help you learn that there are many options in your life other than suicide.

Stay away from drugs and alcohol. Rather than numb painful feelings, alcohol and drugs can increase suicidal thoughts and the chance you'll harm yourself. Alcohol and drugs can make you more impulsive and more likely to act on feelings to harm yourself.

Avoid risky websites on the internet. Stay away from chatrooms, social media sites or websites that may urge suicide as a way to solve your problems.

Write about your thoughts and feelings. Consider writing about the things in your life that you value and appreciate, no matter how small they may seem at the time.

Look beyond thoughts of suicide

The hopelessness you feel as you consider suicide may be the side effect of a very hard situation or an illness that can be treated. This emotion can be so overpowering that it clouds your judgment and leads you to believe that taking your life is the best, or only, option. But with help, you can change how you think about your situation:

Keep in mind that suicidal feelings are temporary. With the right treatment, you can learn how to help yourself feel better about life again. Asking others for support can help you see that you have other options and give you hope about the future.

Create a list of your reasons to live. This list can include being alive for your pet, your children, a favorite relative or best friend, or something that you enjoy doing at work or at home. It does not matter what the list includes, but finding a sense of purpose in your life can make a difference.

By getting proper treatment and using effective coping strategies, you can learn to manage or rid yourself of suicidal thoughts and create a more satisfying life.

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Show references

1. Understanding suicidal thinking. Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. https://www.dbsalliance.org/crisis/suicide-prevention-information/understanding-suicidal-thinking/. Accessed April 14, 2023.

2. Frequently asked questions about suicide. National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/suicide-faq. Accessed April 14, 2023.

3. Suicide prevention information. Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. http://www.dbsalliance.org/crisis/suicide-prevention-information/. Accessed April 14, 2023.

4. Schreiber J, et al. Suicidal ideation and behavior in adults. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed April 14, 2023.

5. How to help in an emotional crisis. American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/topics/mental-health/help-emotional-crisis. Accessed April 14, 2023.

6. American Academy of Pediatrics. Brief interventions that can make a difference in suicide prevention. https://www.aap.org/. Accessed April 14, 2023.

7. Pearce M, et al. Association between physical activity and risk of depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Psychiatry. 2022; doi: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2022.0609.

8. The lifeline and 988. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. https://988lifeline.org/current-events/the-lifeline-and-988/. Accessed April 14, 2023.

9. If you are feeling suicidal. Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. https://www.dbsalliance.org/crisis/suicide-prevention-information/if-you-are-feeling-suicidal/. Accessed April 14, 2023.

10. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. After an attempt: A guide for taking care of your family member after treatment in the emergency department. https://sprc.org/online-library/after-an-attempt-a-guide-for-taking-care-of-your-family-member-after-treatment-in-the-emergency-department/. Accessed April 14, 2023.

11. Kennebeck S, et al. Suicidal ideation and behavior in children and adolescents: Evaluation and management. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed April 15, 2023.

12. American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. Suicide safety: Precautions at home. https://www.aacap.org/. Accessed April 14, 2023.

13. Hall-Flavin DK (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. April 21, 2023.

14. Recovery is possible. MentalHealth.gov. https://www.mentalhealth.gov/basics/recovery-possible. Accessed April 19, 2023.

15. Moscardini EH, et al. Suicide safety planning: Clinician training, comfort and safety plan utilization. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020; doi:10.3390/ijerph17186444.

16. American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Brief interventions for managing suicidal crises. https://afsp.org/brief-interventions-for-managing-suicidal-crises. Accessed April 17, 2023.

See more In-depth

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Are you thinking about suicide? How to stay safe and find treatment

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If you have suicidal thoughts, contact a suicide hotline or a mental health professional. Get help for depression. Make a plan to get through a crisis.

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This video talks about finding help when think about killing yourself

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This is related to my topic because it say help he seeking help

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This is related to my topic because it say help he seeking help

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the way this relates to my topic is people are thinking about suicide should they seek help and this trying to comit it while there people there to 

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the way this relates to my topic is people are thinking about suicide should they seek help and this trying to comit it while there people there to 

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This blog site was not really credible but I was desperate for positive on suicide so i choose this site

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I had long been too snobbish to read graphic novels. Cartoons like or Calvin & Hobbes are great, but when it comes to serious subjects, I prefer prose. Also, I read a lot on trains or in restaurants and didn't want to be seen with a comic book in public. Silly, I know. But now I am cat sitting, where I am pinned to the couch for hours, and it's too cold to read in the park anyway. Thus, when a friend, knowing of my interest in Iran, gave me Persepolis, I was delighted and ready to change my opinion of graphic novels.

The style is clear, precise, not overloaded with details. Ligne claire is the expression, I believe, and I like it. It allows you to read quite quickly, and you know that everything that is drawn has some importance. There are no decorative or distracting accessories.

The second thing that I really liked is the perspective of the little girl, Marjane Satrapi herself, growing up in Iran in a liberal, secular, middle-class family, witnessing the 1979 revolution, suffering from oppression and religiosity and of course soon from the 8-year war between Iraq and Iran.

This is of course the story of many Iranians. When I was in Iran in 2008 and 2009, I was surprised how many families still maintained a liberal, secular worldview, holding on to private freedoms, treasuring them at home or with like-minded friends, and passing them on to their children, all the time trying to dodge at least the sharpest repercussions from the regime.

The viewpoint of a child is highly advantageous in that she can be funny about serious issues, without it seeming out of place. Many of her classmates' parents or relatives are imprisoned because of their opposition to the Shah (this is before 1979) and she is a bit jealous of them. When her uncle becomes imprisoned, he becomes her absolute hero.

Once the war starts in 1980, the class divisions also become quite obvious. It's mostly the children from poor, rural families who get drafted to walk through minefields.

The only thing I found a bit difficult to believe is that Ms Satrapi already read Marx and Hegel and was discussing dialectical materialism when she was twelve or thirteen. But maybe there are families like that, and I have just been unlucky in that regard. On the other hand, my childhood home was never bombed by Saddam Hussein, so I don't want to complain.

When Ms Satrapi is fourteen, her parents worry too much about their daughter's safety. They send her to Austria in a kind of Kindertransport. Again, this is something that most Iranians could not afford and which shows the class distinction. However, even 30 years later, I know hardly any Iranian family in which the adult children haven't left or aren't trying to leave Iran. At the time depicted in Persepolis, nobody thought the Islamic Republic would last that long.

The funny thing in Ms Satrapi's case is that she had been attending a French lycée in Iran until 1979, when it was forced shut, and was sent to a boarding school in Austria, which was run by Christian nuns and much stricter and more religious than anticipated.

As she moves to Austria and grows up in a foreign country, the book shifts more to her personal development. For my taste, there is too much about relationships, sex and drugs. I am sure some readers, maybe those of a similar age to the protagonist at the time, find that interesting, but I would have been more interested in Marx, Bakunin and the immigrant experience (which is covered a bit).

Even as she returns to Iran after a few years in Austria, the book remains focused on private life. She eventually goes to university in Iran to study graphic design, which is where the book becomes more interesting again. Here again, it's about the constant battle between citizens and the state. There were some interesting revelations, which I won't spoil for you.

There are a few aspects which I liked less, for example the rather harsh treatment of older women, of whose physical appearance Ms Satrapi often makes fun. But then, it's written from a child's or a teenager's perspective, and maybe young people talk about adults like that. (I forgot because it was so long ago.)

At times, the character just isn't likable at all, quite self-centered, full of pity. In my mind, her parents and her grandmother are the real heroes, and maybe I would have enjoyed a book about them even more. Like hundreds of thousands of Iranian parents, they have sacrificed their whole adult lives for their children, without having them around or even near, while parents in other countries can usually relax and lean back or travel the world once the kids go to university. Ms Satrapi went to France after graduation, and it's her parents who tell her not to come back to Iran, but to enjoy freedom.

And then, there should be a word of caution. While Persepolis will bring valuable insight into Iranian society, particularly to people who haven't been to the country themselves, it should not be taken as a scholarly or even journalistic work. Wile the character is thoughtful of her role within family, school, relationships and society, she lacks reflection about the role of Iran in the world and too often assumes the national(istic) narrative of Iran/Persia as a superior civilization whose suffering can possibly only be the result of mischievous machinations by, not very creatively even as conspiracy theories go, the USA, the UK and Israel. If the clever child really read all the works of political philosophy, she shouldn't be quite so gullible.

But then, nobody who reads a graphic novel should expect serious analysis. To people who mainly read Persepolis because, as a graphic novel, it's quick to read (an advantage I acknowledge and which makes me more open to other graphic novels), I would recommend Shah of Shahs by Ryszard Kapuscinski. At 170 pages, it is quite a quick read, too, and it may be one of the best books not only about the 1979 revolution, but about revolution in general.

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I had long been too snobbish to read graphic novels. Cartoons like or Calvin & Hobbes are great, but when it comes to serious subjects, I prefer prose. Also, I read a lot on trains or in restaurants and didn't want to be seen with a comic book in public.

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How to Help Someone who is Suicidal and Save a Life
A suicidal person may not ask for help, but that doesn't mean that help isn't wanted. People who take their lives don't want to die-they just want to stop hurting. Suicide prevention starts with recognizing the warning signs and taking them seriously. If you think a friend or family member is considering suicide, you might be afraid to bring up the subject. But talking openly about suicidal thoughts and feelings can save a life.
Understanding suicide

The World Health Organization estimates that approximately 1 million people die each year from suicide. What drives so many individuals to take their own lives? To those who are not in the grips of suicidal depression and despair, it's difficult to understand what drives so many individuals to take their own lives. But a suicidal person is in so much pain that he or she can see no other option.

Suicide is a desperate attempt to escape suffering that has become unbearable. Blinded by feelings of self-loathing, hopelessness, and isolation, a suicidal person can't see any way of finding relief except through death. But despite their desire for the pain to stop, most suicidal people are deeply conflicted about ending their own lives. They wish there was an alternative to suicide, but they just can't see one.

Common misconceptions about suicide

Myth: People who talk about suicide won't really do it.
Fact: Almost everyone who attempts suicide has given some clue or warning. Don't ignore even indirect references to death or suicide. Statements like "You'll be sorry when I'm gone," "I can't see any way out,"-no matter how casually or jokingly said-may indicate serious suicidal feelings.

Myth: Anyone who tries to kill him/herself must be crazy.
Fact: Most suicidal people are not psychotic or insane. They are upset, grief-stricken, depressed or despairing, but extreme distress and emotional pain are not necessarily signs of mental illness.

Myth: If a person is determined to kill him/herself, nothing is going to stop them.
Fact: Even the most severely depressed person has mixed feelings about death, wavering until the very last moment between wanting to live and wanting to die. Most suicidal people do not want death; they want the pain to stop. The impulse to end it all, however overpowering, does not last forever.

Myth: People who die by suicide are people who were unwilling to seek help.
Fact: Studies of suicide victims have shown that more than half had sought medical help in the six months prior to their deaths.

Myth: Talking about suicide may give someone the idea.
Fact: You don't give a suicidal person morbid ideas by talking about suicide. The opposite is true-bringing up the subject of suicide and discussing it openly is one of the most helpful things you can do.

Source: SAVE - Suicide Awareness Voices of Education

Warning signs of suicide

Take any suicidal talk or behavior seriously. It's not just a warning sign that the person is thinking about suicide- it's a cry for help.

Most suicidal individuals give warning signs or signals of their intentions. The best way to prevent suicide is to recognize these warning signs and know how to respond if you spot them. If you believe that a friend or family member is suicidal, you can play a role in suicide prevention by pointing out the alternatives, showing that you care, and getting a doctor or psychologist involved.

Major warning signs for suicide include talking about killing or harming oneself, talking or writing a lot about death or dying, and seeking out things that could be used in a suicide attempt, such as weapons and drugs. These signals are even more dangerous if the person has a mood disorder such as depression or bipolar disorder, suffers from alcohol dependence, has previously attempted suicide, or has a family history of suicide.

A more subtle but equally dangerous warning sign of suicide is hopelessness. Studies have found that hopelessness is a strong predictor of suicide. People who feel hopeless may talk about "unbearable" feelings, predict a bleak future, and state that they have nothing to look forward to.

Other warning signs that point to a suicidal mind frame include dramatic mood swings or sudden personality changes, such as switching from outgoing to withdrawn or well-behaved to rebellious. A suicidal person may also lose interest in day-to-day activities, neglect his or her appearance, and show big changes in eating or sleeping habits.

Suicide warning signs include:

Talking about suicide - Any talk about suicide, dying, or self-harm, such as "I wish I hadn't been born," "If I see you again..." and "I'd be better off dead."

Seeking out lethal means - Seeking access to guns, pills, knives, or other objects that could be used in a suicide attempt.

Preoccupation with death - Unusual focus on death, dying, or violence. Writing poems or stories about death.

No hope for the future - Feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, and being trapped ("There's no way out"). Belief that things will never get better or change.

Self-loathing, self-hatred - Feelings of worthlessness, guilt, shame, and self-hatred. Feeling like a burden ("Everyone would be better off without me").

Getting affairs in order - Making out a will. Giving away prized possessions. Making arrangements for family members.

Saying goodbye - Unusual or unexpected visits or calls to family and friends. Saying goodbye to people as if they won't be seen again.

Withdrawing from others - Withdrawing from friends and family. Increasing social isolation. Desire to be left alone.

Self-destructive behavior - Increased alcohol or drug use, reckless driving, unsafe sex. Taking unnecessary risks as if they have a "death wish."

Sudden sense of calm - A sudden sense of calm and happiness after being extremely depressed can mean that the person has made a decision to attempt suicide.

Suicide prevention tip 1: Speak up if you're worried

If you spot the warning signs of suicide in someone you care about, you may wonder if it's a good idea to say anything. What if you're wrong? What if the person gets angry? In such situations, it's natural to feel uncomfortable or afraid. But anyone who talks about suicide or shows other warning signs needs immediate help-the sooner the better.

Talking to a friend or family member about their suicidal thoughts and feelings can be extremely difficult for anyone. But if you're unsure whether someone is suicidal, the best way to find out is to ask. You can't make a person suicidal by showing that you care. In fact, giving a suicidal person the opportunity to express his or her feelings can provide relief from loneliness and pent-up negative feelings, and may prevent a suicide attempt.
Ways to start a conversation about suicide:
"I have been feeling concerned about you lately."

"Recently, I have noticed some differences in you and wondered how you are doing."

"I wanted to check in with you because you haven't seemed yourself lately."
Questions you can ask:
"When did you begin feeling like this?"

"Did something happen to make you start feeling this way?"

"How can I best support you right now?"

"Have you thought about getting help?"
What you can say that helps:
"You are not alone in this. I'm here for you."

"You may not believe it now, but the way you're feeling will change."

"I may not be able to understand exactly how you feel, but I care about you and want to help."

"When you want to give up, tell yourself you will hold off for just one more day, hour, minute-whatever you can manage."

When talking to a suicidal person
Do:
Be yourself. Let the person know you care, that he/she is not alone. The right words are often unimportant. If you are concerned, your voice and manner will show it.

Listen. Let the suicidal person unload despair, vent anger. No matter how negative the conversation seems, the fact that it is taking place is a positive sign.

Be sympathetic, non-judgmental, patient, calm, accepting. Your friend or family member is doing the right thing by talking about his/her feelings.

Offer hope. Reassure the person that help is available and that the suicidal feelings are temporary. Let the person know that his or her life is important to you.

Take the person seriously. If the person says things like, "I'm so depressed, I can't go on," ask the question: "Are you having thoughts of suicide?" You are not putting ideas in their head; you are showing that you are concerned, that you take them seriously, and that it's OK for them to share their pain with you.
But don't:
Argue with the suicidal person. Avoid saying things like: "You have so much to live for," "Your suicide will hurt your family," or "Look on the bright side."

Act shocked, lecture on the value of life, or say that suicide is wrong.

Promise confidentiality. Refuse to be sworn to secrecy. A life is at stake and you may need to speak to a mental health professional in order to keep the suicidal person safe. If you promise to keep your discussions secret, you may have to break your word.

Offer ways to fix their problems, or give advice, or make them feel like they have to justify their suicidal feelings. It is not about how bad the problem is, but how badly it's hurting your friend or loved one.

Blame yourself. You can't "fix" someone's depression. Your loved one's happiness, or lack thereof, is not your responsibility.

Source: Metanoia.org

Tip 2: Respond quickly in a crisis

If a friend or family member tells you that he or she is thinking about death or suicide, it's important to evaluate the immediate danger the person is in. Those at the highest risk for committing suicide in the near future have a specific suicide PLAN, the MEANS to carry out the plan, a TIME SET for doing it, and an INTENTION to do it.

The following questions can help you assess the immediate risk for suicide:

Do you have a suicide plan? (PLAN)

Do you have what you need to carry out your plan (pills, gun, etc.)? (MEANS)

Do you know when you would do it? (TIME SET)

Do you intend to take your own life? (INTENTION)

Low - Some suicidal thoughts. No suicide plan. Says he or she won't attempt suicide.

Moderate - Suicidal thoughts. Vague plan that isn't very lethal. Says he or she won't attempt suicide.

High - Suicidal thoughts. Specific plan that is highly lethal. Says he or she won't attempt suicide.

Severe - Suicidal thoughts. Specific plan that is highly lethal. Says he or she will attempt suicide.

If a suicide attempt seems imminent, call a local crisis center, dial 911, or take the person to an emergency room. Remove guns, drugs, knives, and other potentially lethal objects from the vicinity but do not, under any circumstances, leave a suicidal person alone.

Tip 3: Offer help and support

If a friend or family member is suicidal, the best way to help is by offering an empathetic, listening ear. Let your loved one know that he or she is not alone and that you care. Don't take responsibility, however, for healing your loved one. You can offer support, but you can't make a suicidal person get better. He or she has to make a personal commitment to recovery.

It takes a lot of courage to help someone who is suicidal. Witnessing a loved one dealing with thoughts about ending his or her own life can stir up many difficult emotions. As you're helping a suicidal person, don't forget to take care of yourself. Find someone that you trust-a friend, family member, clergyman, or counselor-to talk to about your feelings and get support of your own.

To help a suicidal person:

Get professional help. Do everything in your power to get a suicidal person the help he or she needs. Call a crisis line for advice and referrals. Encourage the person to see a mental health professional, help locate a treatment facility, or take them to a doctor's appointment.

Follow-up on treatment. If the doctor prescribes medication, make sure your friend or loved one takes it as directed. Be aware of possible side effects and be sure to notify the physician if the person seems to be getting worse. It often takes time and persistence to find the medication or therapy that's right for a particular person.

Be proactive. Those contemplating suicide often don't believe they can be helped, so you may have to be more proactive at offering assistance. Saying, "Call me if you need anything" is too vague. Don't wait for the person to call you or even to return your calls. Drop by, call again, invite the person out.

Encourage positive lifestyle changes, such as a healthy diet, plenty of sleep, and getting out in the sun or into nature for at least 30 minutes each day. Exercise is also extremely important as it releases endorphins, relieves stress, and promotes emotional well-being.

Make a safety plan. Help the person develop a set of steps he or she promises to follow during a suicidal crisis. It should identify any triggers that may lead to a suicidal crisis, such as an anniversary of a loss, alcohol, or stress from relationships. Also include contact numbers for the person's doctor or therapist, as well as friends and family members who will help in an emergency.

Remove potential means of suicide, such as pills, knives, razors, or firearms. If the person is likely to take an overdose, keep medications locked away or give them out only as the person needs them.

Continue your support over the long haul. Even after the immediate suicidal crisis has passed, stay in touch with the person, periodically checking in or dropping by. Your support is vital to ensure your friend or loved one remains on the recovery track.

Risk factors

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, at least 90 percent of all people who die by suicide suffer from one or more mental disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or alcoholism. Depression in particular plays a large role in suicide. The difficulty that suicidal people have imagining a solution to their suffering is due in part to the distorted thinking caused by depression.
Common suicide risk factors include:

Mental illness, alcoholism or drug abuse

Previous suicide attempts, family history of suicide, or history of trauma or abuse

Terminal illness or chronic pain, a recent loss or stressful life event

Social isolation and loneliness

Antidepressants and suicide

For some, depression medication causes an increase-rather than a decrease-in depression and suicidal thoughts and feelings. Because of this risk, the FDA advises that anyone taking antidepressants should be watched for increases in suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Monitoring is especially important if this is the person's first time on depression medication or if the dose has recently been changed. The risk of suicide is the greatest during the first two months of antidepressant treatment.

Suicide in teens and older adults

In addition to the general risk factors for suicide, both teenagers and older adults are at a higher risk of suicide.

Suicide in teens

Teenage suicide is a serious and growing problem. The teenage years can be emotionally turbulent and stressful. Teenagers face pressures to succeed and fit in. They may struggle with self-esteem issues, self-doubt, and feelings of alienation. For some, this leads to suicide. Depression is also a major risk factor for teen suicide.
Other risk factors for teenage suicide include:

Childhood abuse

Recent traumatic event

Lack of a support network

Availability of a gun

Hostile social or school environment

Exposure to other teen suicides

Warning signs in teens

Additional warning signs that a teen may be considering suicide:

1. Change in eating and sleeping habits

2. Withdrawal from friends, family, and regular activities

3. Violent or rebellious behavior, running away

4. Drug and alcohol use

5. Unusual neglect of personal appearance

6. Persistent boredom, difficulty concentrating, or a decline in the quality of schoolwork

7. Frequent complaints about physical symptoms, often related to emotions, such as stomachaches, headaches, fatigue, etc.

8. Rejecting praise or rewards

Source: American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

Suicide in the elderly

The highest suicide rates of any age group occur among persons aged 65 years and older. One contributing factor is depression in the elderly that is undiagnosed and untreated.
Other risk factors for suicide in the elderly include:

Recent death of a loved one, isolation and loneliness

Physical illness, disability, or pain

Major life changes, such as retirement or loss of independence

Loss of sense of purpose

Warning signs in older adults

Additional warning signs that an elderly person may be contemplating suicide:

1. Reading material about death and suicide

2. Disruption of sleep patterns

3. Increased alcohol or prescription drug use

4. Failure to take care of self or follow medical orders

5. Stockpiling medications or sudden interest in firearms

6. Social withdrawal, elaborate good-byes, rush to complete or revise a will

Source: University of Florida

Where to turn for help

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Suicide Prevention How to Help Someone who is Suicidal and Save a Life A suicidal person may not ask for help, but that doesn't mean that help isn't wanted. People who take their lives don't want to die-they just want to stop hurting. Suicide prevention

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If you believe someone is thinking about ending their life, it's natural to feel panic or even want to avoid thinking about it. However, there are a number of practical things you can do to help.

Let them know you are concerned

Tell them that you are concerned, and that you are there to help

Ask if they are thinking about suicide and if they have made any plans

Talking about suicide will not make them take action

Asking shows that you care and allows them to talk about their feelings and plans - the first step to getting help.

Take action to get help now

Tell them that there are other options than suicide

Don't agree to keep their suicidal thoughts or plans a secret

Don't assume they will get better without help or that they will seek help on their own

Encourage them to get professional help

Make an appointment with a GP and offer for someone to go along with them

Contact a counsellor or employee assistance program, family member or friend

Contact a specialist helpline for information and advice - they're listed below

If they have made a plan to end their life

Check if they are able to carry out this plan. Do they have a time, place or method?

Remove access to objects they could use to hurt themselves

Contact the psychiatric emergency team at your local hospital

Call 000. Tell them the person is suicidal, has made a plan, and you fear for their safety

Take care of yourself

It is emotionally demanding to support someone who is suicidal. Find someone to talk things over with, like your family, friends or a helpline.

Factors associated with higher risk of suicide

These include:

Talking about feeling hopeless and helpless

Being socially isolated

Having a recent loss - relationship, death, job

Having made a previous suicide attempt

Having a friend, family member or work colleague who has died by suicide

Having a mental illness

Behaving in a risky manner - drugs, alcohol abuse, driving recklessly

Resources

Crisis resources

Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800

Lifeline (24-hour crisis telephone counselling) 13 11 14

Suicide Callback Service 1300 659 467

Call 000 for urgent medical attention or police attendance

Information and advice on mental illness

SANE Help Centre 1800 18 SANE (7263)

Related SANE resources
How to help in a crisis

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If you believe someone is thinking about ending their life, it's natural to feel panic or even want to avoid thinking about it. However, there are a number of practical things you can do to help.

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Support the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

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Together, we can raise awareness of suicide prevention and save lives.

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NIMH " Suicide in America: Frequently Asked Questions

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This fact sheet can help you, or a friend or family member, learn about the signs and symptoms, risk factors and warning signs, and ongoing research about suicide and suicide prevention.