Suicide is the act of taking ones life.
Suicidal ideation is the repetitive thoughts of taking ones life.
Suicidal gestures are behaviors that express ones thoughts about taking their life.
Suicide is rarely a random, impulsive act. A person thinking about suicide may have several stressors that have led him or her to believe that suicide is the only resolution to what appears to be a hopeless situation. A person often communicates warning signs to those around them indicating that they are thinking of committing suicide.
Warning Signs:
* Suicidal talk- either threatening to take his or her life or saying things like" there's no point in going on", "I want to die."
* Being depressed- hopelessness, loss of interest in things they used to enjoy, staying away from family and friends.
* Preparing for death- giving away their personal things, writing a will.
* Changes in sleep habits, (either too much or too little), changes in eating habits, (too much or too little) or changes in sexual habits-(not wanting to have sex, or sexually promiscuous behavior).
* Sudden lift in spirits, - once a person has made the decision to kill themselves, a person who previously seemed depressed may seem happier because they think their problems will soon come to an end.
What Causes Suicide?
* Depression- a medical condition that causes people to feel hopeless, sad, overwhelmed and not feel a reason to live. NOT all people with depression are suicidal, but depression can be a factor in people committing suicide.
* Other stressors in a person’s life may impact the feelings of wanting to commit suicide, such as financial stress, marital / familial problems, academic or career failures, or loss of a family member are examples of severe stressors.
* Other mental illness- such as schizophrenia, personality disorders or bipolar disorders.
* Alcohol usage -alcohol is a depressant and it can impair a person's judgement and increase their ability to carry out a suicide attempt.
* Other drug use- can also impair judgement, lessen self-control and encourage suicidal thoughts.
Treatment and Prevention:
* Talk with someone- a friend, a counselor, a suicide prevention hotline.
* Medications may be helpful in treating an underlying mental illness.
* A brief hospitalization may be required to monitor the person and to keep them from harming themselves.
HOTLINE Numbers in Maryland:
Baltimore Crisis Response (410) 752-2272
Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center (410) 531-6677
Youth Crisis Hotline 1-800-422-0009
National Suicide Crisis Hotline 1-800-SUICIDE ( 1-800-784-2433)