Suicide is never something to take lightly and it’s a sad truth that most people don’t know how troubled someone is until it’s too late. As one of the leading causes of death in the United States, one would think that more would be known about how to prevent suicide. Unfortunately, many Americans would not be able to pick a suicidal person out of a crowd if asked to.
Individuals that are suicidal – meaning they have actively communicated the desire to end their life, maybe have a plan on how they would do it, or have actually attempted – often present to the world that they’re perfectly fine. However, there are some telltale signs to look out for:
Isolating from friends and family, including withdrawing from regular activities.
Visiting loved ones increasingly and acting as if they have little time left
They begin selling their prized possessions
They often communicate that they feel like a burden to others or have explicitly told others they have no will to live or feel undeserving of living
They already suffer from depression or other severe forms of mental illness
They start or increase the use of illicit substances
If you notice that your loved one is exhibiting one or more of these tell-tale signs, immediately call 988 – this is a new emergency helpline, like 911, but specifically for mental health emergencies. The individual who takes your call will be able to field your call to the most appropriate first responder, depending on the situation.
As with any mental health emergency, it is also important to get your loved one the help they need as soon as possible so that they can develop the appropriate long-term care with the help of a professional. AFHS is here to help. Contact today to get started on the healing journey: (973) 773-7600.