During natural or big crisis suicide decreases

It is fascinating that during times of social crisis such as natural disaster or political disorder suicide rates are shown to decrease. One theory could be that individuals have an ability to find emotional strength and will when they feel it is necessary for the betterment of society or others.

There are many other possibilities for why this statistic has been found but it would make sense that those who are suicidal often find themselves enduring much psychological pain for the sake of others.

Please if you know someone who is suicidal please encourage them to call a professional interventionist for help!

Suicidal thoughts are often temporary

Though suicide is a very serious thought. It often is just a thought ... a temporary and passing thought. It is always a good idea to learn more about feeling suicidal or helping someone else to learn more if you think or know they are considering suicide.

Many more people than one can realize considers suicide at some point in their life and work through their distress. This can provide some relief to people, however, on the flip sound, there are still many people that do not seek help or that cannot find what is effective for them.

The important thing to take away from this blog is that those people who contemplate suicide, can more often than not get knowledge, skills, treatment, and the help that can be effective moving on to live an even more appreciated, fantastic, happy, healthy life.

Remember always the key is being able to get EFFECTIVE help.

Dr. Phil and Suicide

Dr. Phil invited Eric Steel to share his story on his show today. This is wonderful and long over due in my opinion. He also invited others who have lost loved ones by suicide.

As stated in many of my posts, talking about suicide is important. I hope many are able to watch this show. If not please review the information which was presented on the show by visiting his website. www.drphil.com/shows

Mostly Mr. Steel had an opportunity to present his perspective of making his very controversial film, The Bridge www.thebridge-themovie.com/. Other individuals shared their very sad stories about loved ones that they had lost. These individuals talked a little about their emotions and lives after these losses.

Most importantly the show was intended...just as is this blog...to spark the conversation about suicide in order to heighten awareness, increase knowledge, development of suicide prevention skills, and help save lives.

Please send a comment if you have questions or want specific information.

Circumstances and Situations

Different circumstances and situations can cause great distress for individuals. As stated before events or situations that would cause one person to feel as though they can not bear to live another day would cause another person to feel suicidal.

It is important to understand that different circumstances, situations, or events can cause some individuals to begin to consider suicide even if they have never exhibited any warning signs or ever thought about suicide before.

Depending on age, mental capacity to cope and other factors, situations like unhealthy relationships, failing grades, problems at work, legal issues, deaths, violence, or victimization could be some of the problems that could cause someone to become suicidal.

Suicide is not limited to those with long term illnesses. There are no types for suicide. Almost everyone has something they feel they could not tolerate in life.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact me or any of the crisis centers listed for help.

Elderly and suicide

The elderly have a very high rate of suicide. Getting older has many unpleasant aspects. One main reason is increase of medical issues as well as psychological issues. When a person's body ages it begins to lose the abilities it had during previous years. This is a difficult fact to accept.

Socialization also differs in senior years and the loss of loved ones can begin to cause a loss in spirit or will to live, or depression. Feeling old and isolated or lonely is common.

Many elderly contemplate suicide. If you know someone who is elderly and presents any of the warning signs discussed in these blogs, please go to them and talk with them about their thoughts.

Elderly people have an entire life of experiences to share. It is always odd how young people seem to think older people have just always been old people...duh???

Many elderly could benefit from a compassionate person to help them change their life. If someone you know appears depressed, ask if they are thinking about suicide. Simply say " Do you ever think about suicide?" It seems hard but it is important and can save lives. ( another topic for another day)

Please be kind and respectful to the elderly. There is only one alternative to aging and that is death. So unless you die ...you too will one day experience what it is like to be elderly.

Suicide and Emergency Room Visits

There has been studies done that indicate people who are considering suicide have been seen in the ED Emergency Department within a short period of time (1 year) prior to their suicide as reported by family members.

These people sometimes were seen for medical reasons and sometimes psychological distress.

It is being considered that working with everyone in EDs to better educate and prepare for assessment and intervention would be beneficial in reducing the number of successful completions.

Please learn and read more about suicide prevention.

Suicide Group with Guest Speaker

Many people have suicidal thoughts. People can help to prevent suicide.

If you are interested in inviting a few people to your home or if you want your family to be better informed about suicide. Please consider inviting a guest speaker to your home.

Knowledge is key to the prevention of suicide.
mindcareusa@gmail.com

Being alone

Today is a good day to check in with someone who is alone. It might be a neighbor, a friend, a relative. When people are alone or rather lonely they sometimes feel sad or depressed. Feeling isolated or alone can be very sad and challenging for some people. It can also be a factor for being suicidal. Please check in with someone and help them feel like someone cares.
And remember NEVER leave someone alone who is suicidal!

Suicidal thoughts and emotional health?

Suicidal thoughts and behaviors are psychological disturbances. Often suicidal thoughts and behaviors accompany other emotional disturbances, including depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.

More than 90% of all suicides are known to be related to a mood disorder or other mental illness.

Many professionals consider suicidal behavior in any case a psychological impairment simply because it is unhealthy and potentially unsafe to consider death as the only option or solution to life circumstances.

Being able to think in healthy ways means being psychologically healthy. Thinking in healthy ways includes being able to cope, be positive, have hope, choose safety, and any thoughts, feelings, and behaviors which promote, enhance, or protect healthy living.

Catchy and quite a bit to think about!

From the beginning: Definition and causes

Let's start with a definition:

Suicide is the act of someone deliberately taking one's own life. Suicidal behavior is any deliberate action with potentially life-threatening consequences, such as shooting oneself with intention to kill oneself, taking a drug overdose intentionally, or deliberately crashing a car in hope to not be alive anymore.

Causes:

Suicidal thoughts and behaviors often occur in response to circumstances that are perceived or realized as overwhelming and intolerable, such as:

• Death of a loved one
• Family member who committed suicide (almost always someone who shared a common mood disorder)
• Emotional Trauma
• Guilty feelings
• Physical illness
• Financial problems
• Social Isolation
• Aging

There are many other causes for suicide. It is important to realize that anyone is at risk depending on their genetics and learned psychological well being. Something that causes one person to consider suicide would not be something to cause another person to consider suicide, but anyone could have something that could cause them to consider ending their life!

Does the cause is different for everyone who considers suicide...it is most important to know how to recognize warning signs or indications of suicidal thought and what to do...!

Waiting?

Why do people wait until someone in serious crisis before they believe intervention is necessary. Suicide intervention can begin long before someone is days, hours, or minutes before committing suicide. There are many warning signs and indications that a person could be considering suicide. Please learn more about the warning signs and indications today!

For warning signs (click here)

Please Help Amanda in her efforts to prevent suicide

Today I pass along a letter from a young woman. This woman lost her dad to suicide and has made great strides to prevent suicide. Please take a moment to read her story and request. Help any way you can.
Thanks!

Dear Friends,

Its that time of year again and I need your support! In 2008, more than 40,000 participants across the United States took steps to help save lives by walking in one of the 156 Out of the Darkness Community Walk locations. Together, participants raised over $3.6 million for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). This year, one of the over 200 community walk locations will take place on November 8, 2009 at Towson University, in hopes of creating awareness and more funds for aggressive mental health research within the local community. Last year this walk raised over $20,000! I alone raised close to $1000! Our goal this is to double the total amount raised to over $40,000 and I hope to raise at least $2,000! You can help me by donating to this great cause and/or walking with me at the event!

AFSP is the leading not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide through research and education, and to reaching out to people with mood disorders and those impacted by suicide. Since 1987, AFSP has supported research that is improving our understanding of suicide and its prevention. Since 2000, AFSP has invested over $6.6 million in new studies, as well as provided education and information through public workshops, trainings, videos, publications and public service announcements.

This event is incredibly important to me because on May 12, 2000 my father died by suicide. As you can imagine this was a traumatic event in my life but has made me the person that I am today and I wouldn't change that for the world. I have turned my loss into the most positive event that I possibly can by supporting American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Currently, I am vice-chair of the Maryland Chapter of the American Foundation for suicide prevention. This role requires me to teach suicide prevention and education in the state of Maryland, organize fundraising events such at this walk to bring awareness, fund research and provide help to those like me who have suffered from depression and/or lost someone to suicide.

I know times are very tough right now for many families and this is why I am asking you to donate whatever you can comfortably afford. However keep in mind whatever is donated can be written off of your taxes at the end of the year! I hope you consider this opportunity. To support me please go to http://afsp.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.participant&eventID=854&participantID=45976 (www.afsp.org, search community walks and search my name, Amanda Bruce) and click support me OR mail a check made out to AFSP and in the FOR section put my name Amanda Bruce/Baltimore walk.

With your help, The Out of the Dark Community Walks can hit the $4 million mark! As our signature event, the community walks are designed to help raise both awareness and funds for research and treatment for those with depression and that are suicidal. This is your invitation to become a sponsor, and join us in the fight against mental illnesses.

If you mail a check please send it to
Amanda Bruce
8224 Brushyridge RD
APT 2B
Laurel MD 20724

If you have any questions, please feel free to me at 443-538-9909 or send me an email back. Feel free to pass this on to any friends or family! Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Amanda L. Bruce

Anana185@gmail.com
443-538-9909
8224 Brushyridge RD
APT 2B
Laurel MD 20724

Down in the dumps?

If you know someone who is always down in the dumps, seemingly sad, depressed, withdrawn, or lonely ask them how they are doing and ask them if they ever think about suicide? You might be surprised at their answer. If they answer yeah...do your best to have them contact a suicide hotline, go to a professional, or be sure they are safe until you can ensure they are getting help.

There are lots of people that can help.

People you know

It is very likely that someone you know has thought about suicide. Many people consider suicide during their lifetime. Many are able to find a way to healthy thoughts and feelings again but I bet if you think about it you know of someone in your life that has committed suicide. Though people generally do not talk much about suicide (see previous blog) it is important to recognize that suicide is all around us. People YOU know could be considering suicide today. It is important for every person to commit to learning more about suicide and how to intervene if necessary.

Please make the effort to learn more and know what to do if you are in contact with someone who might need your help. It might save the life of someone you love.

Completed Suicides - Are they preventable?

Everyone must realize especially survivors of loved ones who have completed suicide that though we want to see society free of suicide forever, suicide will probably happen.
If someone has decided that they want to commit suicide and they do not seek or receive help that works for them they can and sometimes will complete suicide. I am very very sorry.
Professional who work very hard to learn and understand the best methods to help suicidal individuals strive for a suicide free community and world. Unfortunately it is a fact to date that some people still can commit suicide. Some people never seek help, while others try for years to get help that will change their life and prevent them from being suicidal. Sometimes successful intervention or treatment does not happen. Please know suicide can be prevented but also remember sometimes it cannot.

Choices...

When someone is suicidal they feel they are out of choices. They feel as though all options have been exhausted. They are feel as though suicide is the only option left to resolve their pain.

People who are suicidal often want to live but not as they are living now. If there was a way to fix or resolve the problems or whatever is causing such physical or psychological distress, then they would often choose to live.

Problem is that once someone reaches a point of seriously considering suicide as their only option, they also may lose sight of other viable options or other reasons to live. It is very important that these individuals talk with a suicide intervention professional to help them think about their choices and why they might still have reasons to live. They might want to talk with a professional to be sure the really have exhausted all their options, because suicide is permanent. Suicide is final. Suicide might not be the best or only option.

Talk about suicide

There are several myths regarding suicide. One of the myths is that people believe talking about suicide will cause someone to commit suicide. People are afraid to talk about suicide because they are afraid. People talking about things does not cause people to take action. There are may factors which can contribute to suicide, there is no indication that talking about suicide is a factor fir committing suicide. In fact the opposite is shown to be true. Studies show that one effective intervention is to talk about suicide directly. So with this knowledge people should be sure to address suicide directly if they ever have concern.

Suicide and Our Veterans

Today is Independence Day for the United State of America. Many of our military men and women are overseas. Many are back home in the United States and contemplating suicide. Suicide rates for those who have served in our armed forces has increased tremendously. These individuals are subjected to various factors which lead to thoughts of suicide. This is a very multifaceted problem.

What is important is that any individual who knows someone who is in the military or a veteran, please be advised of the higher risks for these individuals regarding thoughts of suicide. These individuals are at greater risks and the rates of completed suicides is evidence enough for anyone to be on alert.
Please continue to read and learn more about suicide. Please learn how to identify, intervene, and assist with getting professional help. Those veterans who are suicidal please reach out and seek help. There are many of us capable, ready, and more than willing to work with you to get healthy and happy again...you have helped many and done great things it is time to let others help you do great things for yourself!

People who commit suicide are selfish...?

I have often been disturbed by hearing people say that those who commit suicide are selfish. And these people actually believe that people who are in such psychological pain are thinking "I really don't care about anyone else, I am going to take the easy way out." Who can believe that suicide is easy? Who can think that taking your life is an EASY way to go? And as far as caring about others...most suicidal individuals suffer for a very long time because of their concern for others. Suicidal individuals often try everything they can to feel better because of their love or concern for others. People who commit suicide often leave notes for those they love that express their intense apology and love. If they didn't care about how others feel would they leave a note? And what about people who want to die when they are in physical pain? Are they selfish too? Suicidal people feel so bad about life and themselves that they sincerely believe that others will be better off without them. Feeling like you cannot live another moment must be incredibly wretched. If people who believe suicidal individuals are selfish I would recommend spending a little time talking with those who experience this psychological dilemma. If they did I am sure they would discover that suicidal individuals would give anything or everything to not feel as they do if that was possible. Oh that's right they do give everything ...they even give their life!

Attitude about suicide

Suicide is a difficult subject. It is a topic most people avoid discussing. Even professionals have difficulty until they are well trained and seasoned to say the words " are you thinking about suicide?" to a client or caller. People avoid talking about suicide for many reasons. Some reasons include being afraid, wanting to deny it happens, anxiety, lack of knowledge, or a negative attitude about suicide. Some people know that they have a very negative opinion about suicide and do not wan to talk about it.

The sad part is that talking about suicide will help people to understand not only their own thoughts and attitudes about it better, but other peoples thoughts and attitudes as well. So it should be a topic that is spoken about much more often. In fact discussion and education about suicide is one of the best approaches to prevention.

The reason this topic is important, I mean your attitude about suicide, is because your attitude will either hinder or assist you in any efforts to recognize or assist in a time of need. How you think, and therefore feel about suicide, will determine how you react and respond to warning signs that a person may demonstrate. Your attitude will affect how you behave. Whether you choose to ignore warning signs or take action and why you choose to do so could make a difference. Your attitude could either hinder or enhance the likelihood that you would save a life or not!