Suicide is said to be an act of taking one’s own life. Suicidal thoughts refer to having thoughts about taking one’s life. As per the World Health Organization (WHO), 700,000 people die because of suicide every year.
People with mental health issues like depression, financial troubles, war, disasters, domestic violence, and abuse can have suicidal thoughts. Going to a mental health professional for help and being surrounded by supportive family and friends can go a long way in helping an individual battle thoughts of suicide.
What are Suicide and Suicidal Thoughts?
Suicide is an act of taking one’s own life. Many countries across the world consider suicide a crime and can jail a person for attempting to commit suicide. Suicidal thoughts are defined as thoughts of harming or killing oneself.
WHO estimates that 20% of the people who commit suicide do so using pesticides or firearms or by hanging themselves. There are many completed reasons as to why a person might attempt to take one’s own life. They include mental health issues, such as depression, and other issues such as a financial crisis, family discord, losing a loved one, etc.
Signs of Suicide and Suicidal Thoughts
The signs of suicidal thoughts and behavior include:
- Talking about death and wanting to die
- Behaving anxiously or recklessly
- Saying goodbye to family and friends
- Isolating oneself (social isolation)
- Consuming alcohol and drugs in excess
- Feeling like there is no reason to go on with life
- Experiencing sleeping trouble
- Purchasing objects such as guns, pills, etc.
- Feeling agitated
- Experiencing a lack of appetite
When to Visit a Doctor
If a person thinks about harming themselves, consuming too much alcohol, or engaging in self-harming behavior, you must immediately call a suicide hotline or visit a mental health professional closest to you.
Call 1860-500-1066 to book an appointment
Preventing Suicide and Suicidal Thoughts
There are ways to prevent any one from committing suicide. These ways include:
- Keep the person suffering from suicidal thoughts away from dangerous objects such as guns, knives, pills, pesticides, etc.
- If you identify the signs early, seek professional help right away.
- Surround the person with loving and caring people.
- Ask the person to call one person they trust if they start having suicidal thoughts.
- Encourage the person to write down their feelings.
Risk Factors Associated with Suicide and Suicidal Thoughts
There are a few factors that predispose a person to develop suicidal thoughts and behavior. They are:
- No access to mental health services
- A victim of sexual abuse
- Family history of suicidal thoughts
- Mental health issues such as depression, personality disorders
- Excess consumption of alcohol and drugs
Treating Suicide and suicidal thoughts
The first step towards treating a person with suicidal thoughts and behavior is to take them to a mental health professional. A clinical psychologist will administer psychotherapy to the person. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy said tobe the most effective therapy. In this therapy, the psychologist will recognize the negative thought patterns and try to change them to positive and rational ones. Raising awareness about suicide, associated risk factors, and its treatment can also go a long way in treating a person. Most importantly, being surrounded by a strong support network of family and friends can help someone feel loved and enable healing.
Conclusion
Suicide is the act of killing oneself. Suicidal thoughts are having thoughts about killing oneself. Warning signs include talking about harming oneself, buying pills, firearms, and saying goodbye to loved ones.
Those with mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, financial crisis, family problems, etc., are at a higher risk of committing suicide. Getting proper access to mental health services and being surrounded by loved ones can go a long way in helping someone heal from suicidal thoughts and behavior.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What are the most common ways of committing suicide?
Studies show that ingesting poisonous substances such as pesticides, hanging oneself, and using firearms are the most common methods of committing suicide.
- Do alcohol and drug consumption increase the risk of committing suicide?
Yes. Studies have shown that alcohol and drug consumption can lead to people committing suicide.
- What do I do if a person I care about is showing these signs?
Immediately call a suicide hotline or seek the help of a mental health professional right away. Take the person to a hospital right away if they have attempted to harm themselves.
