Suicide (explained by psych.)

Myths

1. Suicide takes place without warning so nothing can be done about it

2. People who talk about committing won’t actually do it

3. If I suspect someone is suicidal and ask them then I might actually be giving them the idea

4. Once suicidal, always suicidal

5. Only crazy people consider suicide

Relevant Facts

1. 54% of people who attempt don’t have a mental health diagnosis

2. Leading cause of death of college students is suicide

Common Themes

1. Feelings of hopelessness

2. Feeling trapped

3. Things aren’t gonna get better

4. I need to escape

Existential Concerns

Lack of purpose/meaning

Verbal (Warning Sign)

Non-future-oriented statements (ex: “You’d be better off if I wasn’t here”)

Emotional (Warning Sign)

1. What are they doing now that they weren’t doing before?

2. What are they not doing now that they were doing before?

Psychological (Warning Sign)

1. Mental health diagnosis

2. Cognitive distortions - polarized thinking and filtering

Situational (Warning Sign)

What is the situation they’re in?

1. Sudden unexpected death of a loved one or significant other

2. Sudden ending of a relevant relationship

3. A person who has historically been exposed to suicide

4. If a person is diagnosed with a terminal illness

5. If a person is being bullied

6. Destruction of a goal/dream

Behavioral (Warning Sign)

1. Getting affairs in order

2. Giving away prized possessions

3. If the person has ever attempted before

4. If the person loses interest in activities and things that were once meaningful

5. When the person suddenly snaps out of a depressive episode

6. Access to things they can use to hurt themselves

7. Excessive use of alcohol and drugs

How I can help

1. Be available (listen more than talk)

2. Don’t harbor this by yourself

3. Don’t be judgmental

4. Stay calm (demonstrate emotional regulation)

5. Don’t try to solve the problem

Evaluating Protective Factors

1. Do they have other connections?

2. Are they spiritual?

3. Are they already in counseling?

4. Are they talking about the future?

5. Do they have good emotional regulation?