How To Help Someone Having Suicidal Thoughts?

Although there is no single reason why someone may have suicidal tendencies, certain things can increase the risk. An individual is more likely to have suicidal thoughts if he has a mental health condition like depression, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. The vulnerability also increases in cases of alcoholism, drug abuse or poor job security. It may not be possible to prevent suicidal thoughts, but keeping one's mind healthy with regular exercise, healthy eating and maintaining friendships can help one deal better with stress. 

Signs Pointing Towards Impending Suicide:

People who commit suicide do not want to die but find pain-bearing worst than dying. You should never take suicide talks of a person just as threats as it is the most basic sign of a person having suicidal tendencies. Here are some other signs pointing towards an impending suicide:

• Focus on death: If you find a person only talking about the ways of dying, you should immediately start to talk to the person in private to understand the rood of his problem.
• Buying or stocking pills: The person might be buying or stocking pills for committing suicide.
• After-life planning: The person might start to take necessary steps to prepare for death, like updating the will, giving away stuff, calling close ones and saying goodbye or writing a suicide note.
• Withdrawal: The person might boycott his close ones, family members, social events and family gathering and become isolated.
• Speaking About His/Her Pain: The person might start to talk openly about his/her pain or feel like they are a burden on others.
• Mood swings: A person might get angry too quickly or get depressed, anxious or sad and at times they may also become calm when they have decided to go with suicide.
• Substance Abuse: The person might start drinking too much or consuming drugs once in an attempt to reduce their pain.

It can be very upsetting when someone says things which sound as if the person is considering suicide. One may not be sure what to do to help as to whether one should take talk of suicide seriously, or if intervention might make the situation worse.

Conditions in which suicide is common:

• Mental disorders
• Addictions to alcohol or other drugs
• A serious physical illness
• A major loss (such as the death of a loved one or the loss of a relationship or job)
• Serious legal or financial problems
• A history of trauma or abuse 

Taking action is always the best choice. One of the best things one can do if someone is feeling suicidal is to encourage them to talk about their feelings and to listen to what they say. One can provide the best help by listening and not being judgemental. If the person has been diagnosed with a mental health condition like depression, one can take advice from his care team. 

Ways to help a person having suicidal thoughts:

• One should avoid offering solutions.
• While listening, do not give in to the temptation of providing a solution.
• One should ask open-ended questions so that the person remains in control and expresses his feelings.
• On the contrary, it will offer an opportunity to talk about feelings which may reduce the risk of acting on suicidal feelings.
• Ensure that the person is not left on his own if there is an immediate danger.
• One cannot always tell when a loved one or friend is considering suicide, so one must be on the lookout for warning signs.

After listening to their feelings, one may feel that certain aspects of their thinking and behaviour are making their problems worse. But pointing this out will not be particularly helpful to them. Reassurance, respect and support will only help someone during these difficult periods. As a final note, one must realise that talking to someone about their feelings is not long lasting and can help them feel safe and secure temporarily.

A professional help can provide the long-term support to help someone overcome their suicidal tendencies. That will the person to deal with the primary issues behind someone's suicidal thoughts, besides offering advice and support.