Suicide Prevention Tips for Youth & Young Adults

Do you know someone who may be at risk?

In the past year, 15 percent of teens and young adults thought about suicide. This is an alarming number and there are chances that you may know one of them. It could either be friend or classmate or someone whom you may know in your sports league, dance class, and theatre group: or at your local community center, church, or synagogue; or someone you know through social media. One should always be vigilant and if they come across anyone with suicidal thoughts then reach out to them and follow the suicide prevention tips to help them ditch these thoughts.

How do you know if someone is at risk for suicide?

While it can be hard to identify someone who is at risk for suicide, learning the warning signs can be a first step. Here are some ways by which one can identify someone at risk for suicide:

1. Obvious mentions about wanting to die or about suicide

• A person who keeps talking about death, dying, or suicide

• A person showing it through their behaviour like

• Learning about ways to kill themselves

• Getting things needed to kill themselves

• Giving away their belongings or bidding a good-bye to their closed ones

2. Inflicting self-injuries

• Hurting themselves on purpose buy cutting, scratching, or burning themselves

• Prior suicide attempt increases the risk

3. Keeping a negative outlook about things

• They may express it through their words

• They may show it through their behaviour

4. Seeming like they are in extreme emotional pain

• People with suicidal thoughts may experience

• Depression

• Strong mood swings

• Feeling really annoyed, irritable or restless

• Impulsive or reckless behaviour

• Disordered eating such as over-eating or under-eating

• Drinking, smoking, or using drugs too often

5. Struggling to cope with a loss

While dealing with a personal loss or in some cases even a business loss is always hard, one should make efforts to cope up with it. However, if the state of feeling low continues for a long time then it is a matter of concern. If you know or see someone in this state, then intervene right away.

What can you do if you think someone is at risk for suicide?

Below are the recommended ways to approach and assist someone at risk:

• Ask them if they are ok or if they are thinking of hurting or killing themselves

• Be a good listener and don’t interrupt when they are talking as someone with suicidal thoughts needs your support

• Tell them you are worried and concerned about them

• Let them know that you have heard them and you understand why they are upset

• Tell them that they are not alone and you are there to support them

Conclusion

Feeling suicidal usually means that someone is hopeless. They may feel like no one can help. They may be out of better options for escaping feelings or situations that are unbearable and painful. But they can feel better again someday, and a trusted adult will get them the help they need.

Disclaimer: This blog provides general information and discussions about health and related subjects. The information and other content provided in this blog, website or in any linked materials are not intended and should not be considered, or used as a substitute for, medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Kindly contact your Doctor before starting a new medicine or health regime.

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Published on September 22, 2022