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As we recognize September’s National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, one of the most important revelations we should carry with us is that mental illness does not discriminate. Depression and suicide impact our entire community, and people of all genders, ages, ethnicities and backgrounds can be affected.
At Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare’s Behavioral Health Center, we support patients from all walks of life through mental health crises.
We are all shaped by our life experiences, and while they vary from person to person, we universally share several life-defining experiences – birth, growth, conflict, love and loss. Some of us can cope well and maintain mental health regardless of what these experiences hold, but many encounter more difficulty adjusting, sometimes because of struggles with mental illness.
Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States for all ages, and the second leading cause for people 15-24 years of age. Given the prevalence of depression and suicide, the chance that you will interact with someone in your daily life that has depression is quite high, whether it be your best friend, priest, child, spouse, colleague or yourself.
It may not be immediately apparent the mental health struggles someone in your life is facing, so it is crucial to understand the warning signs. Some potential signs for suicide risk include:
- Increased sadness or changes in mood
- Loss of interest in activities that were once pleasurable or enjoyable
- Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
- Withdrawal from friends, family or other social supports
- Making statements about self-harm with detailed intents, plans and/or the means to carry those actions out
- Preparing to give away once prized possessions
- Exposure to or experience of recent trauma or major life changes
- Statements of self-harm or sadness, sometimes shared on social media (especially with children and adolescents)
While not everyone displays these exact symptoms, it is important to recognize the signs because suicide is preventable. Suicide is not a normal response to stress, so suicidal thoughts are a definite sign that you or someone you know needs help and treatment to learn positive coping skills.
Someone contemplating suicide may not ask for help, but that doesn't mean they don’t want it. Knowing what to do next and how to help is just as important as identifying the signs.
If someone you think someone you know may be suicidal, some of the best ways to help are below.
- Listen: Give the person every opportunity to unburden their troubles and share their feelings.
- Take it seriously: It’s critical to not dismiss or minimize what they’re feeling. Rather than telling them their pain isn’t as bad as it seems, hear them out.
- Be direct: Don’t be afraid to ask the person directly if they are considering suicide. If they weren’t already, you won’t push them towards it. But if they were, you’ll show them you truly care, take them seriously and are willing to let them share their pain with you.
- Urge professional help: You may need to be persistent and patient, but it’s critical that depressed or suicidal individuals seek professional help. Offer to go to the appointment with the person, help find a mental health professional or take them to a walk-in clinic at a psychiatric hospital or a hospital emergency room.
- In case of an emergency call 911, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or our local Big Bend suicide lifeline by dialing 211.
To learn about the mental health services available at Tallahassee Memorial, visit TMH.ORG/MentalHealth.
