A Preventable Sadness

A PREVENTABLE SADNESS: SUICIDE STATESIDE A PREVENTABLE SADNESS: SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS A PREVENTABLE SADNESS: START THE CONVERSATION {There are three main factors that frequently contribute to suicidal ideation} Suicide is not a popular topic of discussion for most Americans, however, it may be more prevalent than we assume. The statistics can be quite alarming and lead us to the conclusion that suicide is a conversation that we should be having. One of the possible reasons the statistics are so high is that there is a lack of understanding of the world in which suicidal people live. To better understand, we can learn the major warning signs and symptoms that are frequently displayed by people contemplating suicide. Once we identify these signs, we can learn how to approach our loved ones and start that conversation. A person who feels isolated believes they have no place within their social groups. Sometimes, they can lack a social support system all together. Isolated people have Recognizing warning signs and symptoms is necessary, but sometimes, the hardest part can be confronting a loved one who is suicidal. People are often unsure of what to say. We've all heard the expression, "if you don't know what to say, don't say anything at all." While this may be appropriate for other circumstances, keeping silent is not beneficial when it comes to suicide. In fact, keeping silent could worsen a persons feelings of isolation. ISOLATION no sense of belonging and can feel detached from others. 66 How are you? 99 Experiencing guilt can mean that the individual blames GUILI him or herself for their problems and feels as if they SUICIDES BY STATE 2010 NOT GREAT 3,500 2,500 1,000 100-500 LET'S TALK ABOUT IT cannot reach out to others for fear of being a burden. This can lead to further isolation. I feel alone and hopeless Are you having thoughts of suicide? Desensitization is a familiarity to pain and suffering. Sometimes self-mutilating behavior is present, but not always. The constant presence of the thought of suicide can be enough to dull onself to the DESENSITIZATION I think about death constantly These feelings are temporary 14 13 idea of death. And trends show THERE IS HELP OUT THERE us that it's not getting better I DON'T SEE A WAY OUT SUICIDE RATES IN RECENT YEARS IN THE US (PER 100,000) OTHER RISK FACTORS WARNING SIGNS You are very important to me NATIVE 6.2 AMERICANS Contrary to popular belief, talking about suicide does not WНITE NON-WHITE PRIOR SUICIDE ATTEMPTS ALWAYS TALKING Just plant the idea in someones mind. AFRICAN AMERICAN Asian / Pacific Islanders keeping firearms in the home Black Hispanic White 2006 Arnerican Indian /Alaska Native 2005 2007 2008 2009 2010 ABOUT DEATH Clinical depression hopelessness SUDDENLY CALLING OR VISITING TO SAY "GOODBYE" LAST YEAR T = 500,000 PEOPLE reach TRY TO AVOID: FAMILY HISTORY OF SUICIDE A lecture on the value of life Offering ways to fix their problems Saying "your suicide would hurt your family" Fixing their problems {The real issue is not their problems, but how the problems are affecting them.} physical abuse HAVE HAD SUICIDAL THOUGHTS EXPOSURE TO SUICIDAL out OUT OF THOSE 1,000,000 PEOPLE, BEHAVIOR BY OTHERS MADE SUICIDAL PLANS REMEMBER: 38,000 WILL END THEIR LIVES Just starting the conversation is extremely helpful, but most people benefit from therapy and or medication. CHRONIC ILLNESS every year. http://www.suicide.org/suicide-statistics.html http://www.helpguide.org/mental/suicide_prevention.htm http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/suicide/riskprotectivefactors.html http://www.suicidology.org/c/document_library/get_file?folderld=262&name=DLFE-636.pdf ATTEMPTED SUICIDE IL laura lillian designs