Cry for Help: How to Deal with People Who Have Suicidal Tendencies

Talking about suicidal activities is considered taboo in many societies. However, the problem of suicide, with its corresponding increase among the youth, is very disturbing and needs special attention. In the United States alone, there has been a tremendous increase in suicide rates in the course of 30 years. From 3.9 deaths per 100,000 individuals, it has almost doubled to 7.0 per 100,000. In males, it has tripled, rising from 10 per 100,000 to 32 per 100,000. In the year 2002, deaths from suicide among youths aging from 19 to 24 have reached about a thousand deaths. These numbers were taken from the research made by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health's Center for Injury Research and Policy.

More females attempt suicide than males. However, the number of successful suicides is much higher than males, owing to their more violent attempts - like self-inflicted gunshot wounds or jumping from high places - than females who commonly overdose on medication. Nevertheless, the increasing prevalence of suicide among the youth reflects a growing discontent in society, perhaps resulting from pressures at home, at school, or from peers.

Trying to determine whether a person is indeed suicidal is key to timely intervention that would save his or her life. Signs to be watched for are gradual withdrawal from social activities, striking shifts in personality and demeanor or suddenly becoming apparently calmer or happier, and dramatic changes in sleeping or eating. Suicidal ideations could also be noticed with a youngster's unusual preoccupation with death and dying, and giving away of cherished personal belongings.

Helping youth with suicidal tendencies would require emotional strength and empathy from a person. Someone who has noticed a person with suicidal ideations should immediately talk to him or her and offer an open communication line. In under no circumstances should the person be left alone. Talking about suicide should not be discouraged, but should be let out into the open in order to thresh out the issues of the suicidal person. Imparting a feeling that they are not alone and people are willing to help them is also valuable in discouraging their attempt. Most of all, one has to be open and non-judgmental, in order to make the person talk and trust him.

Dealing with people with suicidal tendencies is not easy, though not impossible. With empathy and help from professionals, making a person go on with his life is possible and achievable.

Sources:
"U.S. Suicide Rate Increasing; Largest Increase Seen In Middle-aged White Women", ScienceDaily.com
"U.S. Suicide Rate Increases", Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health