Suicidal Thoughts Treatment

If you want to support someone who is feeling suicidal, the first important step is to stay with the person, listen and try to understand what is going on, for the person. 

In the weeks before hand depression, hopelessness and irritability often build up. Under pressure people may become desperate but still may feel confused. They may  not want to die they may see death as the only way to escape an impossible situation, to relieve the state of  mind or to convey desperate feelings to others.

Understanding their thoughts

Some people have a strong clear desire for death. They may feel hopeless and believe that things will never get better and its beyond their power to do anything about events and pressures in their life. 

Suicide may seem to be the only way of solving problems, once and for all and ending the emotional pain of living. 

They will believe that no one will care for them once they have gone. Its important to understand them and make them aware that they are needed. An important fact for you to recognise is that however wavering and confused their feelings may be they remain life threatening.

The underlying causes of suicidal feelings are likely to be a complex mix of personal and social factors. A run of problems may feel overwhelming, a sudden personal crises may trigger despair or despair may build slowly. 

The pressures and hurts of many years can wear down a person’s self-esteem. It can also be anger bottled up and turned inwards. There may be incidents or problems just before a suicide attempt. Despair can take years to build up so suicidal feelings often develop gradually.

• Some groups of people appear particularly vulnerable to suicidal feelings 
• People with mental health problems
• People with physical health problems
• people who self harm
• people with physical or sexual abuse history
• People who misuse alcohol and drugs
• Unemployment or poor social situations
• Higher risk in men than women

Suicide attempts can seem to come suddenly without warning to loved ones. Yet it is likely that the person’s suicidal feelings have developed over a long period of time from high levels of stress and depression. The person may have found it hard to talk about these feelings perceiving them as forbidden and therefore disguised them. 

warning signs:

• Major set backs (failing exams, redundancy)
• Loss of self esteem 
• Isolation and hopelessness 
• Sleep problems 
• Uselessness and futility (what’s the point)
• Taking less care of themselves 
• suddenly making a will (life insurance)
• Talking about suicide or death (illnesses)
• Change of behaviour 

What can i do to help?

• Be there for them 
• Talk to them 
• Understand them 
• Give them moral support  
• Look for solutions for their problems
• Be accepting of them  
• Encourage them to get help (counselling)

They can try asking help from:

• Their GP
• Citizens advice
• Voluntary organisations e.g Mind

Sometime dealing with people who are suicidal can be difficult, theretofore don’t be afraid to ask for self help to deal with the emotions you may be experiencing too.

Talking treatments – with counsellors, friends or family helps. Contact us today to find out how to help, or stop your suicidal thoughts.