Minding Your Mental Health™

 Section II - Mental Health Topics

Table of Contents 

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Suicidal Thoughts

A lot of people think about suicide or say things like, “I wish I was dead” at times of great stress. Casual thoughts of suicide that don’t last may not in and of themselves be a sign of a problem. For most people, they are a way to express anger, frustration and other strong emotions. Suicidal thoughts could be a signal for help, though, if they:
 
bullet Don’t go away or occur often
bullet Lead to suicidal threats, gestures or attempts
bullet Are a symptom of a medical illness or mental health condition, such as:
  • Depression (See “Depression”.) Up to 70% of persons who commit suicide are known to have suffered from depression right before their deaths.
  • Bipolar disorder (See “Bipolar Disorder”.) Suicide can take place during either the manic or depressive episodes.
  • Grief/Bereavement (See "Grief/Bereavement".) The loss of a loved one may provoke thoughts of suicide. A person may find it hard to go on living without their loved one or may want to be with him or her in death.
Let your doctor know if you have thoughts of suicide.

Suicide

bullet Is more common in men than women. Men commit four times as many suicides
bullet Is attempted three times more often by women than men (young women attempt suicide four to eight times more often than young men)
bullet Is committed more often by white men than by black men
bullet Has the highest rate in adults over age 65
bullet Is the third leading cause of death among 15-24 year olds, behind accidents and homicide

Suicidal threats and attempts are a person’s way of letting others know that he or she is in need of attention or wants someone to help them. Suicide attempts and/or threats should never be taken lightly or taken only as a “bluff.” Most people who threaten and/or attempt suicide more than once usually succeed if they are not stopped.

Prevention and Treatment

bullet Knowing the warning signs for suicide (see “Questions to Ask” below)
bullet Taking courses that teach problem solving, coping skills and suicide awareness in schools and in the community
bullet Addressing and treating the emotional and/or physical problems that lead to thoughts and attempts of suicide, such as:
  • Medical treatment for physical and/or mental health conditions, such as depression. This includes monitoring medicine, if used.
bullet Therapy, such as individual and family counseling
bullet Having frequent contact with family and friends
bullet Keeping firearms, drugs and other means to commit suicide away from potential victims
bullet Emergency care and hospitalization, if necessary, after an attempted suicide

Questions to Ask

(Note: In some suicides, no warning signs are shown or noticed.)

At this time, are any of the following present?

  • Suicide attempts
  • Suicidal gestures (e.g., standing on the edge of a bridge, cutting the wrists with a dull instrument, or driving recklessly on purpose)
  • Plans are being made for suicide (e.g., the person has gotten a weapon or pills that could be used for suicide)
  • Repeated thoughts of suicide or death or stating suicidal intent
 
Yes. Get Emergency Care.

No

  

With previous thoughts of suicide or death, are any of these conditions present?

  • Depression
  • Bipolar disorder (manic-depression )
  • Schizophrenia
  • Any other mental health or medical condition
 Yes: See Physician or See Counselor

No

  

Has the person recently done any of the following?

  • Given repeated statements that indicate suicidal thoughts, such as “I want to be dead,” or “I don’t want to live anymore,” or “How does a person leave their body to science?”
  • Given away favorite things, cleaned the house, and gotten legal matters in order
  • Suddenly felt better after being severely depressed, specifically, stating something like: “everyday is okay” or “now I know what I have to do” or “now I see how to make everything better.”
 		 Yes: See Physician or See Counselor

No

  

Have previous thoughts of suicide come as a result of one of the following?

  • Taking, stopping or changing the dose of a prescribed medicine
  • Using drugs and/or alcohol
 Yes: See Physician or See Counselor

No

  
Does the person thinking about suicide have other blood relatives who died from suicide or attempted suicide?
 Yes: See Physician or See Counselor

No

  

Have suicidal thoughts come as a result of an upset in life, such as any of the following?

  • A divorce or separation
  • The death of a loved one or other loss, such as the loss of a job
  • A rejection
  • Being ridiculed
  • Flunking a course
 Yes: See Physician or See Counselor

No

  

Are symptoms of depression (see "Depression") present?

  • Feeling slowed down or restless and unable to sit still
  • Feeling worthless or guilty
  • Changes in appetite or weight loss or gain
  • Thoughts of death or suicide
  • Problems concentrating, thinking, remembering or making decisions
  • Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
  • Loss of energy or feeling tired all of the time
  • Headaches
  • Other aches and pains
  • Digestive problems
  • Sexual problems
  • Feeling pessimistic or hopeless
  • Being anxious or worried
 		 Yes. See Physician.

No

  


 

  

Self-Help

If You are Having Thoughts of Suicide

bullet Let someone know. Talk to a trusted family member, friend or teacher. If it is hard for you to talk directly to someone, write your thoughts down and let someone else read them.
bullet Call your local crisis intervention or suicide prevention hotline. Look in your local phone book or call directory assistance or the operator for the number. Follow up with a visit to your doctor or local mental health center, if instructed to do so.

What You Can Do for a Friend or Relative

If someone you know shows the warning signs and symptoms of suicide, the following suggestions can help you save a life: 

bullet Listen. Allow your friend or relative to express their feelings to you.
bullet Keep the person talking. Ask questions to keep a discussion going including, “Are you thinking about hurting or killing yourself?”
bullet Try to determine if the person would attempt to harm himself or herself.
bullet Take action if you suspect the person is seriously considering suicide. Get help, but do not leave him or her alone until you do get help. Ways to get help:
  • Urge the person to make the call for help. If he or she is already under the care of a health provider, have the person contact that provider first. If not, other places to contact are suicide prevention and crisis intervention hotlines, student counseling center, community mental health clinics and hospital emergency rooms.
  • Make the call yourself if the person cannot or will not.
bullet Express interest and give support. Your friend or relative needs to know that someone is genuinely interested in their welfare. Most suicidal persons feel isolated from other people.
bullet Don’t judge. The person needs an objective “ear,” not someone to preach moral values.
bullet Take him or her seriously. If your friend or relative threatens or informs you of their suicidal intentions, believe him or her.
bullet Watch and protect him or her. Remove all sharp objects, pills, guns and bullets, etc.
bullet Express your care and concern. Tell your friend or relative how much they mean to you and how important it is to you that they stay alive.   
bullet Tell your friend or relative that depression and suicidal tendencies can be treated. Encourage them to get professional help. Assist them in finding and getting help.
Encourage your friend to talk about his or her feelings.

Tell your friend or relative how much he or she means to you.

Copyright 2004, 5th Edition, American Institute for Preventive Medicine. All rights reserved.