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Suicide
in Youth What
you can
do about it |
What would you do if one of your friends
threatened to commit suicide?
Would you laugh it off?
Would you assume that the threat was just a joke or a way of getting attention?
Would you be shocked and tell him or her not to say things like that?
Would you ignore it?
If you reacted in any of those
ways you might be missing an opportunity to save a life, perhaps the life of
someone who is very close and important to you.
You might later find yourself saying, “ I didn’t believe she was
serious” or “I never thought he’d really do it.”
The American Association of
Suicidology estimates that suicide claims 35,000 lives each year in the
United States
, but the true figure may be much higher. A
growing number of those lives are young people in their teens and twenties.
Although it is difficult to get an accurate count because many suicides
are covered up or reported as accidents, suicide is now thought to be the second
leading cause of death among young people.
If someone you know is
suicidal, your ability to recognize the signs and your willingness to do
something about it could make the difference between life and death.
| DANGER
SIGNS |
|
|
No doubt you have heard
that people who talk about suicide won’t really do it.
It isn’t true. Before
committing suicide, people often make direct statements about their
intention to end their lives, or less direct comments about how they
might as well be dead or that their friends and family would be better
off without them. Suicide
threats and similar statements should always be taken seriously.
People, who have
previously tried to kill themselves, even if their attempts didn’t
seem very serious, are also at risk.
Unless they are helped they may try again, the next time the
result may be fatal. Four
out of five persons who commit suicide have made at least one previous
attempt.
Perhaps someone you
know has suddenly begun to act very differently or seems to have taken
on a whole new personality. The
shy person becomes a thrill seeker.
The outgoing person becomes withdrawn and unfriendly.
When such changes take place for no apparent reason or persist
for a period of time, it may be a clue to an impending suicide or other
serious condition.
Making final
arrangements is another possible indication of suicidal risk.
In young people, such arrangements often include giving away
treasures personal possessions, such as a favorite CD collection or
guitar. |
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| WHAT TO DO
|
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|
If someone confides in
you that he or she is thinking of suicide or shows other signs of being
suicidal, don’t be afraid to talk about it.
Your willingness to discuss it will show the person that you
don’t condemn him or her for having such feelings.
Ask questions about how the person feels and about the reasons
for those feelings. Ask
whether the method of suicide has been considered, whether any specific
plans have been made and whether any steps have been taken to carry out
those plans, such as getting hold of whatever means of suicide has been
decided upon (for example, collecting pills or a weapon).
Don’t worry that your
discussion will encourage the person to go through with the plan.
On the contrary, it will help him or her to know that someone is
willing to be a friend. It
may save a life. On the
other hand, don’t try to turn the discussion off or offer advice such
as “Think about how much better off you are than most people.
You should appreciate how lucky you are.”
Such comments only make the suicidal person feel more guilty,
worthless, and hopeless than before.
Be a concerned and willing listener.
Keep calm. Discuss
the subject as you would any other topic of concern with a friend. |
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| GET
HELP |
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Whenever you think that
someone you know is in danger of suicide, get help.
Suggest that he or she call a suicide prevention center, crisis
intervention center or hospital. Or
suggest that they talk with a sympathetic teacher, parent, relative,
counselor, doctor or other adult you respect.
If your friend refuses, take it upon yourself to talk with one of
these people for advice on handling the situation.
In some cases you may
find yourself in the position of having to get direct help for someone
who is suicidal and refuses to go for counseling.
If so, do it. Don’t
be afraid of appearing to be disloyal.
People who are suicidal have given up hope.
They no longer believe they can be helped.
With time, most suicidal people can be restored to full and happy
living. But when they are
feeling hopeless, their judgment is impaired.
They can’t see a reason to go on living.
In that case, it is up to you to use your judgment to see that
they get the help they need. What
at the time may appear to be an act of disloyalty or the breaking of a
confidence could turn out to be the favor of a lifetime.
Your courage and willingness to act could save a life. |
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| WHAT ABOUT
YOU? |
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| Perhaps you yourself have
sometimes felt like ending your life.
Don’t be ashamed of it. Many
people, young and old, have similar feelings.
Talk to someone you trust. Things
seem very bad sometimes. But
those times don’t last forever. Ask
for help. You can be helped.
Because you do deserve it. |
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| WARNING
SIGNS OF SUICIDE |
|
|
* Suicide threats
* Statements revealing a desire to die
* Previous suicide attempts
* Sudden changes in behavior (withdrawal, apathy, moodiness)
* Depression (crying, sleeplessness, loss of appetite, hopelessness)
* Final arrangements (such as giving away personal possessions) |
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| WHAT TO DO
- THINGS THAT CAN HELP |
|
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* Discuss it openly and
frankly
* Show interest and support
* Get professional help |
|
CT
SUICIDE HOTLINE
Dial 211 at any time
NATIONAL
SUICIDE HOTLINE
Dial 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) |
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| Information provided by:
The CT Clearinghouse and The Suicide Prevention and Crisis Center of San
Mateo County, CA, in cooperation with the American Association of
Suicidology. |
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