September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States with over 42,000 people taking their lives every year. That number is so much higher, however, if you account for the fact that for every suicide, 25 people attempt. Being aware of the signs of suicide as well as how to prevent someone from taking their life is extremely important. Here’s five signs you have a suicidal friend:
They suddenly have no energy.
Having no energy can be because of many things, suicidal tendencies included. If your friend is suddenly lethargic or tired all the time, it may be because they are suicidal. Make an effort to talk to them and, if they do want to commit suicide, make sure they have the proper resources to stay safe and alive.
They self-harm.
This one’s a biggie. Self harm is an extremely large sign of suicidal tendencies. While self harming isn’t directly related to being suicidal, in many cases the person will both self harm and be suicidal. If you see your friend self harming, be it by any means, immediately talk to them. Even if it turns out they aren’t suicidal, at least they now know you are a positive outlet they can come to.
They stop doing things that you know are important to them.
This one stems from having no energy. If your friend is passionate about singing, but you notice they haven’t sung a note in a while, it may be because they don’t care about doing it anymore because they don’t want to stay alive. Being suicidal means that a person doesn’t want to live any longer, so if they stop doing something they love to do it may be because they are preparing to commit suicide.
They “get their affairs in order”
If your friend does things like apologize for little arguments you had or gives back the shirt they borrowed from you and never returned, keep an eye on them. While it is possible that they just want to make amends, it is also very likely that they are getting things in order for when they won’t be living anymore. If your friend starts doing these things, sit down with them and have a chat. It’s easier to live with misinterpreting suicidal actions than knowing you could have stopped your friend from committing suicide.
Talking about death and suicide.
This one is a little more obvious than the others. If your friend starts talking about death or says they want to kill himself or herself it is imperative that you take them seriously. Suicide is not a light topic so you need to believe them if they talk about committing suicide. It may be a very hard thing to do, but you must talk to them and convince them to stay alive. If you’re worried that talking to someone about suicide will put the idea in their head or give them more motivation, don’t. Showing your concern for a friend can actually help them feel wanted, not isolated and can give them a place to let out their negative feelings. The most important thing is to convince them not to commit suicide; the next is to make sure they know you are someone they can come to for anything.
Of course, these are just five signs – there are many, many other indicators of suicidal thoughts. If you have any impression your friend is suicidal, no matter how small, please talk to them and make sure they do not commit suicide.
It was mentioned before, but it is so important that it needs to be said again: it’s easier to live with misinterpreting suicidal actions than knowing you could have stopped your friend from committing suicide after they die.
For more information on signs of suicidal thoughts, please go here.
If you or a loved one is considering suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
