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26

How To Help Someone Struggling With Thoughts of Suicide

Posted by Collaborative Counseling
Woman suffering from Postpartum depression

According to the CDC, more than 38,000 Americans commit suicide each year. While we often think of suicide in relation to teens or the younger population, middle-aged males make up the majority of suicides in the U.S.

Suicide can be the result of any number of issues that someone is facing. However, an estimated 90% of people who committed suicide were suffering from substance abuse issues or a mental illness such as depression, bipolar disorder or PTSD. Suicide can be the tragic answer that some turn to when they feel they have no other options.

Warning Signs

Suicide can be difficult to prevent. However, if you are aware of the warning signs you may be able to help a person who is struggling. Some warning signs of suicide are:

  • Talking about wanting to die
  • Talking about feeling trapped or being a burden to others
  • Increased alcohol or drug use
  • Isolating from family and friends
  • Depression
  • Loss of interest or withdrawing from activities

Keep in mind this is not a complete list of the warning signs of suicide. Therefore, if you suspect that someone you care about may be contemplating suicide, read on to find out what you can do to help them.

What to do if you suspect someone may be suicidal

  • Be open to talking with them and listening to what they have to say.
  • Try not to discredit their feelings or minimize their problems. Focus on validating them for how they feel.
  • Let someone else know.
  • If the person doesn’t seem to be in immediate danger: encourage them to seek help from a mental health professional or doctor.
  • If the person seems to be in immediate danger: stay with them and contact a suicide prevention resource or accompany them to the emergency room or to mental health services.

Furthermore, if you or someone you know think they may be suffering from a mental illness, it is key to begin treatment as soon as possible. As a result, this can help to prevent the symptoms from worsening and lessen the likelihood of them resorting to suicide.

Resources For Suicide

Some additional resources that may be helpful for someone who is thinking about suicide or someone looking to help are:

Those who are suicidal often times will not reach out for help. Sometimes the simplest things like letting someone know that you are there for them can give them the hope they need to open up to someone and potentially save their life.

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19

Thoughts For Those Who Have Lost a Loved One to Suicide

Posted by Collaborative Counseling
individuals in group therapy

Losing a loved one to suicide can be a very painful experience for those of us left behind. Here are some potential perspectives or reframes to your sadness. These were written by someone who lost their son to suicide and used these various thoughts or perspectives to help cope with their sadness. We hope you too can find some help in these thoughts.

Things To Keep In Mind

  • You will not always feel the pain this deeply. Time does heal. A walk in nature ~ or having a dog or a cat will bring amazing comfort to you.
  • It is important to know that your loved one’s anguished mental condition prevented them from thinking clearly.
  • It is important to be grateful that in their anguish, your loved one did not cause the death of any other people, as is sometimes the case.
  • A heathy person’s primary desire is to protect their life in any way they can. Therefore, when a person chooses to end their life, it is their decision, and no one else is responsible.
  • God is a god of love and compassion, and knows the heart of each of us. It is not possible for God to stop loving anyone, especially one in such deep distress. Therefore, your loved one rests in the heart of God. He will listen when you ask for Him to hold your loved one in compassion, and heal their broken heart and mind. He will also heal your broken heart, and the hearts of all of those who ask for this gift.
  • Life is eternal and we will one day be reunited with all of our loved ones, especially this precious one.
  • The greatest gift you can give this loved one is to hold them in your heart with complete love and gratitude, knowing that they are being healed, and rest in the heart of God. Only fear and anxiety can hold them back from this immersion in love. So be at peace, and offer thanks for your time with them.
  • Two of the greatest enemies of our peace of mind are hunger and fatigue. Therefore, it is your duty, to yourself, to eat well and regularly – and to rest often and enter sleep with a peaceful heart.

We Are Here To Help

If you are looking for support in this difficult time, visit our website  to learn how we can help https://www.collaborativemn.com/counseling-services/individual-counseling

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