Suicide Prevention Outline
  

Depression:  Quick Overview

Of those persons who have completed suicide, 60% have had a history of 1 or more forms of depression.  Given this, it is important to be alert to the symptoms that indicate someone may be experiencing a depressive episode which include:

  1. Disturbance of sleep

  2. Disturbance of appetite

  3. Depressed mood

  4. Decreased energy

  5. Decreased motivation

  6. Inability to derive pleasure

  7. Feelings of guilt or worthlessness

  8. Psychomotor agitation

  9. Psychomotor retardation

  10. Decreased concentration

  11. Recurring thoughts of death of suicide
  

Warning Signs of a Suicidal Person

The vast majority of those who attempt or complete suicide give warning signs either directly or indirectly.  hence, the key to suicide prevention is being alert to the warning signs, which can be summarized in 3 categories:  Behavioral, verbal and /or Situational.
  

Behavioral

  1. Disturbance of sleep

  2. Disturbance of appetite

  3. Dramatic changes in behavior

  4. Withdrawal from support systems

  5. Loss of interest in work/hobbies/school

  6. Giving away prized possessions

  7. Preparing for death (will)

  8. Prior suicide attempts

  9. Increased risk taking

  10. Increased use of drugs/alcohol

  11. Decreased interest in personal appearance

  12. Preoccupation with death or dying

  13. Negative self assessments
Verbal

  1. "Soon I won't be hurting anymore"

  2. "They will be sorry when I'm gone"

  3. "I wish I'd never been born:

  4. "I wish I could go to sleep and never wake up"

  5. "You won't have to put up with me much longer"

  6. "Do you think dying hurts?"

  7. "They'd be better off without me"

  8. "I am going to kill myself"

    9.
Situational

  1. Divorce (Parents or self)

  2. Emotional or sexual abuse

  3. Failure at work or school

  4. Financial crisis

  5. Sexual identity conflicts

  6. Loss of relationship through death

  7. Substance abuse

  8. Dissolution of relationship

  9. Belief one is not wanted by others

    10.
  

"Do's" & "Don'ts" with a Suicidal Person

Do's:

  1. Ask directly if the person is thinking about suicide

  2. Take a threat to commit suicide seriously

  3. Be willing to listen and allow the person to talk about their feelings

  4. Be non-Judgmental.  Accept their feelings regardless of whether you approve or not.

  5. Let them know that you care and want to help.

  6. Remove easy access to lethal weapons and drugs.

  7. Offer hope that there are alternatives to suicide.

  8. Get help from professionals or organizations who specialize in crisis intervention and suicide prevention.

    9.
Don'ts:

  1. Dare a person to go through with it

  2. Experiment with "reverse psychology."

  3. Act shocked or appalled by the person's statement

  4. Give advice or offer simple solutions to serious problems

  5. Allow yourself to be sworn to secrecy.  Remember that this is a life or death matter and having someone angry with you is better than risking death.

  6. Leave the person alone until you can arrange for alternate support.