World Suicide Prevention Day
I'll start off with some statistics so that you can see how big of a deal suicide actually is.
Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States.
Each year, 42,773 Americans die by suicide.
For every suicide, 25 people attempt it
On average, there are 117 suicides per day
These statistics are of the United States alone, and were found here.
Let's take a look at some world suicide statistics.
Over one million people die by suicide each year.
The global suicide rate is 16 per 100,000 population
On average, one person dies by suicide somewhere in our world every 40 seconds
1.8% of worldwide deaths are causes by suicide
Global suicide rates have increased by 60% in the last 45 years.
These statistics were found here
So now you have the overwhelming statistics of suicide. But what exactly is suicide? Simply put, suicide means taking one's own life somehow. A suicide attempt means that someone tried to take their own life, but did not succeed. Suicide is done or attempted in order to escape grueling, unbearable pain and suffering. When someone is considering taking their own life, it means they have exhausted all other options of ridding themselves of their pain and suffering, and it means they are giving up. A person contemplating taking their own life has no hope, no will to live, and is in serious danger. So, what can you do about it?
If you know someone who is having thoughts of suicide, you may think that they've made up their mind, they won't listen to you, and that you won't be able to help them. This is not true. You can help, and you can save their life. But how? There are several ways you can prevent suicide.
1. Listen, and listen genuinely.
Listen to their thoughts and feelings and take them seriously. Suicidal thoughts or ideation are not a cry for attention, they are a cry for help. Don't judge what they are saying, and make it clear that no judgement will come from you as you listen. Make the person realize that what they are saying/feeling/thinking is valid and tell them that they matter and that they are important.
2. Encourage them to get professional help
Don't be pushy, but encourage them to seek help from a doctor or therapist. Tell them that medication, talk therapy, and behavioral therapies can help. If your loved one has an aversion to medical doctors, encourage them to seek help from a holistic approach.
3. Physically be there for them.
Make your presence known. Make yourself available as much as possible to spend time with this person, even if they seem hesitant about your company. While spending time together, engage in distracting activities or stress relieving activities such as getting out of the house to go shopping, visiting a salon, volunteering at an animal shelter, or going to the movies.
4. Ask the hard questions.
Don't be afraid to ask your loved one what has happened that triggered their suicidal thoughts. If you think they may be planning their death, don't be afraid to ask. Your questions show that you care and their responses will give you a better understanding of how to help.
5. Learn the warning signs, triggers, risks, and who to call if things get bad.
A simple Google search will tell you all of this. Know the suicide hotline phone number, and always call the police if you think your friend or loved one is seriously close to hurting themselves.
The most important things you can do for a friend or loved one who is thinking about suicide is not to leave them. Leaving a suicidal person alone with their scary thoughts could mean the end. Cancel your plans, do whatever you have to do to stay with this person as long as they need you to.
You can prevent suicide. You can help change these alarming statistics. All it takes is a conversation and some company, encouragement and the suggestion of professional help.
