KNOW THE SIGNS
February 21, 2013
Know the
Signs
The recent and highly publicized suicide
of country singer, Mindy McCready, has
once again brought attention to the need
for more public awareness of the signs and
symptoms of a suicidal individual. Before
McCready died, she recorded one final
song, and asked that her friend Dan Hanks
produce a video to be released on YouTube.
When Hanks asked McCready for a release
date, her response indicated that he would
know when the time was “right”. Knowing
the request was odd, Hanks was st ill clueless to the events about to transpire.
This very scenario highlights the importance of knowing how to distinguish the difference between an embarrassing moment
and utterance of, “I could just die!” versus
a more serious expression of, “I want to kill
myself,” due to struggles with depression,
drugs, or stress. Identifying the warning
signs of suicide is a real life and death
situation. In 2007, suicide was the tenth
leading cause of death in the U.S., resulting
in 34,598 deaths in the U.S., according to
the National Institute of Mental Health
(NIMH) Suicide in the U.S. Statistics and
Prevention study.
How do you know when someone is
thinking about suicide? When is the right
time to have an intervention? Read on to
learn more about suicide warning signs and
how to talk to someone who is thinking
about killing themselves.
The Warning Signs Of Suicide
When someone is suffering or struggling
with addiction, pain, or depression, it isn’t
always so obvious. Most people who have
suicidal thoughts or tendencies at some
point show signs that they are thinking
about killing themselves.
• Talking about killing themselves
• Increased use of drugs or alcohol
• Uncontrollable anger
• Feeling of worthlessness or no sense
of purpose
• Feeling hopeless, desperate, or even
trapped
32
• Loss of interest in activities that they
once enjoyed
• Withdrawal from family and loved
ones
• Irrational mood swings and behaviors
• Anxiety and depression
• Change in sleep and eating habits
• Neglect of personal care
• Self-injury and reckless behavior
the person if they have access to anything
that could cause them harm; like a weapon
or drugs. If at any point you feel like your
life is in danger, remove yourself from the
situation and call 911 immediately. If they
have expressed continued interest in killing
themselves, they have discussed means in
which to do it, it’s time to seek real help.
Provide the person with the resources that
you have obtained and tell them that you
are willing to walk with them through the
steps of getting help.
Trying to help someone in crisis can be
a scary experience and it’s important to
understand that you are not alone. There
are multiple resources available to help you
prevent and intervene. If you know someone
is struggling, please contact someone for
help now. Suicide can be prevented if you
care enough to speak up!
• Expressing unusual behaviors and
thoughts in journals, through social
media outlets, or communication
• Giving away prized possessions
Critical Warning Signs Of
Suicide
• Person has a weapon and threatening
to cause themselves harm
• Talking about killing themselves and
acting anxious or agitated
• Talking about death or suicide while
drunk or high
• Seeking methods to kill themselves
Warning: Please call 911 or the National
Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-8611768 right now if you identify with any
of the above signs or know someone who
exhibits these signs. You only need one of
these warning signs to take action. Many
people will not say anything because they
don’t want to jump to a conclusion in case
they were wrong. This is one situation where
if you aren’t wrong, your efforts could save
the life of someone you love. Isn’t that a
good enough reason to say something?
How To Help Someone Who
Has Suicidal Behaviors
Before you start talking to someone
about your concerns, be sure to have all
your suicide resources available (websites,
helplines, mental health facilities, etc.)
Mention the signs that they are displaying
that prompted you to even ask them the
question to begin with. Listen to their
concerns and let them know that you are
there and that you care about them. Ask
| Illinois Winter 2014 | abusemagazine.org
We are proud to be a drug
free workplace.
901 B. South Illinois Ave., Carbondale
(on the South end of the Strip)
618-351-9897
SHAWNEE
EXPRESS, INC.
618-988-1621
“We proudly support ABUSE
prevention in our community!”
1207 North Park Ave. • Herrin, IL
Source: The Watershed