Do we always act very compassionately? Do we lend our shoulders to those who want to weep and communicate their agonies to us? Do we really have time for showing this empathy? The reality is that we have become very practical persons, who do not find proper time to listen to others! We have developed a term called "Emotional Fool" in our dictionary! But a little bit of empathy and not sympathy can go a long way to save many lives. There are increasing cases of youth suicide over these years. We often ignore any form of suicidal threat and take them as mere jokes! But being sensible individuals we can all make attempts to prevent suicidal thoughts from clouding up in one's mind.
Warning Signs of Suicide
It is hard to predict a suicide. But certain behaviors which appear to be unusual to the persons close to an individual can be taken as warning signs. Around 80 percent of young individuals who committed suicide had informed some persons about their thought of suicide. Some common warning signs include:
- A person might lose interest in activities which seemed to give him pleasure in the past.
- He might start giving away his treasured-possessions which he used to hold before with much interest.
- The person might develop some behavioral problems.
- The person might start showing lack of interest in proper dressing and in his appearance.
- Personality changes can be observed in a person suddenly.
- A person, thinking to commit suicide, might choose to withdraw himself from friends and social activities.
- The person becomes susceptible to accidents as he shows self-harming behaviors.
Triggers of a Suicide
Stress created due to various reasons can provoke an individual to commit suicide. Suicides might result due to an immediate cause or due to a stress that builds up over a period of time. Various reasons for suicide include:
- A person might feel that he has failed in his attempts. This sense of failure can provoke a person to commit suicide.
- When an individual loses an important person through death and divorce, then a feeling of loneliness might make him to think of committing suicide.
- A feeling of failure in relationships might trigger suicidal tendencies.
- In most of the cases, young people commit suicides after they break up with their lovers.
- Sexual abuses in the childhood might remain in the memory of an individual even after he grows up and a sense of disrespect might trigger suicidal tendencies.
- Any sort of discriminating behavior faced by an individual from his family and loved ones can make him to stay aloof and to plan for a suicide.
- An individual might get influenced to commit suicide if he finds that one of his close friends have committed suicide.
Removing the Thoughts of Suicide from an Individual's Mind
- Show a person that you really care about him by addressing his concerns.
- Motivate him to freely share his feelings with you.
- Make attempts to recognize their sadness, fear and despondency.
- Provide some consolations without ignoring the problem.
- Ask whether the person has any plan of hurting himself.
- Tell him how others who care about him would feel after he passes away.
- Make a point to check whether the person possesses any lethal weapon.
- Consider staying with a person who has a high probability of harming himself.
- Inform others about a suicide possibility.
- Seek professional help and provide support.
Common Suicide Myths and Facts
- Myth: Young people only try to seek attention while dictating that they would commit suicide.
Fact: Their declaration denotes a cry for help and they are most likely to harm themselves at some point of time. - Myth: Once a person has decided to commit suicide, he becomes unstoppable! He would remain suicidal forever.
Fact: You can prevent suicidal cases by offering the help these persons need. - Myth: Suicide is in your genes.
Fact: Suicides are seen to run in families, but they are not hereditary. - Myth: A sudden improvement in mood or mental state means that there is no further risk of suicide.
Fact: If there are prior signs of suicidal tendencies, then a sudden change of mood to the brighter side, might indicate that a person has finally made up his mind to take his own life.
You do not have to be a trained professional to help a person to come out of his suicidal thoughts. Further, while counseling, do not panic or express your anger. You should also avoid coming up with your own experiences. Avoid being judgmental by giving too much of advice. Show him empathy and lead him to get professional help.
