A suicidal person may not ask for help, but that doesn’t mean that help isn’t wanted. Most people who die by suicide 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. Speak up if you’re concerned and seek professional help immediately! Through understanding, reassurance, and support, you can help your loved one overcome thoughts of 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 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 dying by suicide, but they just can’t see one.

Warning Signs:

• 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 commit suicide.

Speak up if you are 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 person about suicide

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 that made 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.

I’d like to share this Suicide Awareness & Prevention Handbook.

Repost from HelpGuide.org