Let's chat about suicide and what we think we know about it.

Suicidal thought and behaviors are very damaging and dangerous and should always be taken seriously. I’ve come across people that have said, “she’s just looking for attention” and I’m not going to sit here and argue with you – you might be right. But here’s the thing, if she’s just looking for attention WHY not give it to her? What I’m trying to get to is, we don’t know when a thought crosses the fine line to action. The person with suicidal thoughts might be looking for attention but they might also be looking for a sliver of hope and that’s where our actions become critical. Knowing what to look for is very important, below is a list of some of the things to keep an eye out for:
Know The Warning Signs

• Hopelessness- believing that the current situation is permanent.  
• Threats or comments about killing themselves, also known as suicidal ideation, can begin with seemingly harmless thoughts like “I wish I wasn’t here” but can become more overt and dangerous
• Increased alcohol and drug use
• Aggressive behavior
• Social withdrawal from friends, family and the community
• Dramatic mood swings
• Talking, writing or thinking about death
• Impulsive or reckless behavior

Here’s something that’s extremely important to know AND trust: asking someone if they are thinking of suicide WILL NOT trigger thoughts of suicide – it won’t. If a person is not contemplating suicide your question will not be a trigger for them – so ask and ask directly. Ask, “Are you thinking of suicide?”
If you or someone you know are having suicidal thoughts PLEASE reach out for help. Call The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or call 911. You matter. You really do – and you are why people like me do what we do because you are important.
Mental health professionals are trained to help people understand their feelings and identify troubling thoughts. Psychotherapy such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), can help a person with thoughts of suicide recognize unhealthy patterns of thinking and behavior, validate troubling feelings, and learn coping skills.