How to Detect If Someone is Contemplating Suicide

My neice's boyfriend committed suicide last winter, and the warning signs were there but no one recognized them. Looking back after taking her to a counselor and listening to what the counselor was telling her, all the warning signs were apparent, she just did not know what to look for.

It appeared that Mike was very depressed and was going through a rough period where life was getting him down. He had lost his job, was having some health issues and was having problems in his relationship with Christina. A lot was going on in his life, his father was in prison for robbery, Mike had a drug problem he was just a mess. Yet Christina was in love with the boy. When I talked to Christina after his death, I let her talk and talking seemed to help her.

If someone you knows is deeply depressed be alert for the warning signs

Up to 80 percent who ultimately commit suicide provide webal warnings, they talk about death, they let someone know of their intentions

These people have a preoccupation with death

A suicidal person may talk, read and write about death

They may have tried a suicide attempt in the past and failed, these people are at risk

They start to give away their prized possessions.

If you run across someone who is contemplating suicide, common sense should take over, did the person tell you he had a plan, did he tell you when he plans on doing away with himself, is he or she under the influence of drugs or alcohol when they are talking about death.

Ask someone you trust to stay with the suicidal person until the crisis has passed

Encourage the person to seek professional help

Do not argue with the person or challenge the person who is thinking of suicide

Don't ignore the warning signs by thinking that someone will snap out of it.

Show understanding and compassion

Call 911 and get help if the situation gets out of hand.