Every 40 seconds, suicide claims a life, each one more than a statistic but a person with a story that matters. Suicide Prevention Awareness Month is a time to shed light on the issue, raise awareness, and understand how we can prevent suicide. In this article, you will learn about the causes and warning signs of suicide, along with actionable steps to help prevent it while supporting those who may be struggling.
What is Suicide?
Suicide is the act of intentionally taking one’s own life. People make this decision for many personal reasons. Experts in mental health, such as psychologists from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), note that suicidal behavior is rarely impulsive. Instead, it usually results from prolonged emotional pain, untreated mental health conditions, or an accumulation of stressors that make the person feel trapped.
Often, individuals end their lives because they feel unwanted, face overwhelming struggles, suffer the loss of something or someone valuable, or encounter bullying, stigma, or rejection. Contrary to common misconceptions, people who consider suicide are not selfish or cowardly. They are often deeply hurt, overwhelmed, and may feel trapped without seeing a way forward. Understanding this perspective is key to offering compassion and support.
Suicide does not discriminate by age, gender, or social status. Men and women, children, teenagers and adults from all backgrounds may be affected. Statistically, men are more likely to die by suicide, while women report more attempts. It is essential to understand that anyone, regardless of outward appearances, may be silently struggling.
Suicidal Thoughts, Suicide Attempts, and Completed Suicide
It is important to understand the differences between these terms:
- Suicidal thoughts involve thinking about ending one’s life. This may range from fleeting ideas to detailed planning in someone’s mind.
- Suicide attempts occur when someone acts on those thoughts but does not succeed. This could happen because of intervention, a change of mind, or unforeseen circumstances.
- Completed suicide happens when a person successfully ends their life. This is the result of planning, intention, and action coming together.
By distinguishing these terms, friends, family, and caregivers can respond appropriately and offer the right type of support.
Talking about suicide does not cause suicide. Open and sensitive conversations can actually help prevent it by giving people a safe space to share their feelings.
Why Do People Consider Suicide?
There is no too small or too big reason for suicide. Every individual’s experience is valid, and what feels overwhelming to one person may seem minor to another. People who contemplate suicide often believe that their reasons are sufficient to justify their actions, even if they are not visible to others.
Common causes are:
- Mental health disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia. These conditions can distort thinking and intensify feelings of hopelessness.
- Life challenges including job loss, relationship breakdowns, or financial crises. Life events that feel unmanageable can contribute to suicidal thoughts.
- Trauma and abuse, whether experienced in childhood or recently. Unresolved trauma can lead to a sense of helplessness.
- Chronic pain or illness that reduces quality of life and strengthens despair.
- Social isolation and stigma, which can make individuals feel disconnected and unsupported.
Did you know? According to the World Health Organization, over 700,000 people die by suicide every year, making it a leading cause of preventable death worldwide.
Warning Signs of Suicide
These signs apply both to yourself and to the people around you. Recognizing these verbal or behavioral signs early can make a significant difference in preventing suicide.
- Talking about wanting to die or feeling like a burden. Phrases like “I wish I wasn’t here” or “Everyone would be better off without me” should be taken seriously.
- Withdrawing from loved ones. Isolation differs from needing personal space. Consistently avoiding connection, friends, or family can signal distress.
- Sudden mood changes. While sadness is often associated with depression, a sudden uplift or cheerful mood after a period of deep sadness can indicate a decision has been made.
- Giving away possessions. Letting go of valued items, especially those with sentimental importance, can indicate that someone is preparing for departure.
- Hidden struggles behind a happy facade. Some people always appear independent and cheerful while carrying heavy emotional burdens, taking on others’ problems, and hiding their own pain.
How to Help Someone Suicidal
People struggling with suicidal thoughts often feel that their problems are unique and unmanageable. Showing them that they are not alone can make a meaningful difference.
1. Start a conversation gently:
Approach gently and without coercion or pressure. It is not every suicidal person wants to talk immediately, so your role is to create a safe, non-judgmental space. For example, you can say, “I’ve noticed you seem down lately. Would you like to talk about what’s going on?” or “I care about you and want to understand what you’re feeling.” The aim is not to force them to speak but to show them that someone is willing to listen.
2. Practice attentive listening:
Give your full attention, avoid interrupting, finishing their sentences, or offering quick solutions. Sometimes, simply being heard is more powerful than any advice you could give. Show empathy through body language, nodding, and verbal affirmations. Listening also helps them process their thoughts and emotions without fear of judgment.
3. Use supportive, non-judgmental language:
Do not belittle their feelings or compare their struggles to others. Statements like “Others have it worse” or “You’re overreacting” can make them feel invalidated and increase their isolation. Motivational speeches should be minimal and carefully considered. Instead, focus on validation by acknowledging that their feelings are real and significant. Even phrases meant to encourage can sometimes trigger further distress if they feel dismissive.
4. Encourage professional help:
You can offer support, yet a trained mental health professional is needed for specialized guidance. Encourage them to seek therapy or counseling and explain the benefits of professional help. You can provide resources, such as contact information for crisis lines, mental health platforms like Tranqbay, which connect people with certified therapists. Sharing success stories or testimonies of people who have received help can also inspire hope and reduce the fear of seeking support. Think of your role as a first aid that guides them toward specialized care.
5. Offer continuous support:
Consistent connection can prevent feelings of isolation, which is a major risk factor for relapse. Remember that some people truly want to be free of suicidal thoughts, but triggers often appear when they feel abandoned or left alone. Your ongoing presence reassures them that they are valued and not forgotten.
When to Seek Help for Yourself
No one is completely immune to suicidal thoughts. Checking in with yourself regularly is essential.
- Do not assume you are too resilient to experience these thoughts.
- Do not hide your pain from trusted friends or loved ones.
- Ask yourself: Do I feel hopeless, lost, or persistently down?
- Seek professional help if these thoughts persist. Mental health professionals are trained to support you and provide tools to cope effectively.
Suicide is preventable, and help is always available. If you or someone you know is struggling, reach out today. Your voice could save a life.