If you are in crisis, call the National Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255

Suicide Truths

Left untreated, depression can be fatal. Almost 30,000 people in the U.S. die from suicide each year. Healthy people do not kill themselves. Research consistently shows that 90% of people who died by suicide had an underlying brain illness. Depression distorts your thinking, so you can't think clearly or rationally. You don't know you have a treatable illness. You don't believe you can be helped. This hopelessness and helplessness can lead to suicidal thoughts. Recognizing the signs can save lives.

A person attempting suicide isn't trying to prove something or to get sympathy. It's a cry for help, and should never be ignored. It's a warning that something is terribly wrong. Any suicide attempt must be taken seriously. A suicidal person masks their depression with happiness, but often gives clues if you know what to watch for.

People don't talk about depression and suicide because of the stigma. They're afraid others will think they're "crazy." Education on suicide and depression will save lives. The only people who are at risk are those who are vulnerable in the first place because of depression.

"Talking things out" (psychotherapy) can alleviate symptoms of depression. But sometimes, this isn't enough. It's like trying to talk a person out of having a heart attack. A combination of psychotherapy and antidepressant medication is the best treatment. A person who's "mind is made up," can still be stopped. The pain comes in waves. They don't want to die; they just want the pain to stop. When they know help is available, that they're not alone, there's hope.

A person can attempt suicide when they seem to feel better, because sometimes severely depressed people contemplating suicide don't have enough energy to carry it out. As the disease lifts, or as medication starts to work, they regain energy, but hang on to feelings of hopelessness. Other times, sufferers give in to the anguish and the disease because they just can't fight it anymore. The surrender releases some anxiety, making them seem calmer.

Warning Signs

• Ideation (thinking, talking or writing about suicide).
• Substance Abuse.
• Purposelessness (no reason for living; no sense of purpose in life).
• Anxiety (agitation, unable to sleep or sleeping all the time).
• Trapped (feeling like there is no way out).
• Hopelessness.
• Withdrawal (withdrawing from friends, family and society).
• Anger (rage, uncontrolled anger, seeking revenge).
• Recklessness (acting reckless or engaging in risky activities, seemingly without thinking).
• Mood changes (dramatic change in mood).

Other Signs You May See Are:

• Visiting or calling people to say goodbye.
• Giving things away or returning borrowed items.
• Organizing or cleaning bedroom "for the last time."
• Previous suicide thoughts or attempts.

Verbal Clues

• "I shouldn't be here."
• "I'm going to run away."
• "I wish I were dead."
• "I'm going to kill myself."
• "I wish I could disappear forever."
• "If a person did this...would he or she die?"
• "The voices tell me to kill myself."
• "Maybe if I died, people would love me more."
• "I want to see what it feels like to die."