Suicide Prevention Month educates the public on risks, signs, and responses

THE WOODLANDS, Texas - When it comes to depression or feelings of hopelessness, a person who’s suffering may often feel that they ought to be able to solve their problems on their own. If they are unable to ease the pain, thoughts of suicide may not be far behind. September is Suicide Prevention Month in the United States, offering the chance to better understand this terrible choice and learn how to help prevent it.

Each year 40,000 Americans die from suicide, with over eight times that number attempting suicide for every suicide victim, according to the Center for Disease Control. Suicide is one of the top-10 killers of Americans.

1. Know your loved one — All people get depressed sometimes. Typically, individuals have an off day or two and work through it. It’s important to identify dramatic changes in people you love. If an outgoing person becomes reluctant to socialize, a movie fan suddenly loses interest in going out, or a person becomes deeply depressed for several weeks, it may be time to intervene. Stark changes in personality and lifestyle should not be ignored. Individuals who have gone through loss or illness may be susceptible to persistent dark thoughts.

“So often we have this mentality that we should be able to pull ourselves up by our bootstraps,” says Cindy Cline, author of “Always Hope” and a Houston-area motivational speaker who has lost four close family members to suicide. “If people could have a handle on it, they would. They think, ‘I don’t have my life together. Why can’t I overcome this?’ It’s not just people who’ve lost their job, it happens across the board. Like with Robin Williams — he was incredibly successful by all rights, so he should be happy. He was so tormented he lost his life to suicide.”

2. See the signs — Individuals who are thinking of suicide often talk about killing themselves, losing their will to live or their pain. They may sleep much more than usual, become withdrawn from their typical social circles and increase their use of drugs and alcohol. They may seek out drugs, weapons or both.

We don’t want to see the people we love in pain, and it may be daunting to identify a person as a suicide risk. Most individuals who contemplate suicide, however, are looking for an end to pain, not death. With action and outreach, those who are depressed, are suffering from the acutely painful effects of a death in the family or divorce, or are struggling with mental illness can be reached before they succumb to thoughts of suicide.

3. Reach out — Suicide is incredibly stigmatized in society, and it can be awkward and frightening to confront the issue with a person who is showing signs of desperation. A person may have suffered long-term burdens from their relationships, bullying or harassment, or job loss, and may feel like they’ve nowhere to turn. Do not hesitate to discuss feelings of suicide with your love one — often open discussion can be a helpful way to explain options and understand the depth of a person’s distress.

“Ask them if they have a plan for suicide. You’re not guiding them in a direction they haven’t already thought about,” Cline says. “They may know they need help, but they don’t know how depressed they are. Talk with them. Say, ‘I notice you’re sleeping a lot, not going out, you’re retreating into yourself.’ Communication is key. Often people don’t realize how much they’re loved, how much they’re cared about…. suicide is a permanent ending to a temporary situation.”

4. Remove dangers — If a person you love has exhibited symptoms of extreme depression or has mental health problems and appears to be contemplating suicide, don’t take it lightly. Remove any drugs, alcohol, or weapons from their environment. Over half of suicides are inflicted by firearm, according to Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE). Substance abuse is a risk factor for suicide. It may be necessary to remove and individual from their home to keep them from harming themselves.

5. Get help — if you fear for the health and wellbeing of a loved one, there are many outlets for help. The American Foundation for the Prevention of Suicide operates a Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK. Emergency rooms are equipped to handle those with suicidal thoughts, and area counseling services or psychiatrists can help. Immediate emergencies can be relayed by calling 911. Do not hesitate to take suicide thoughts, discussions or research seriously. Individuals who are contemplating suicide should not be left alone.

“It takes courage as a friend and loved one to say, ‘I deeply care about you. I see these signs. You are cared about,’ ” Cline says.

Strength in numbers

On Nov. 1, members of the community whose lives have been touched by suicide will gather together in groups nationwide as part of Out of the Darkness walks. In The Woodlands, Texas locals will join together at Town Green Park at 10 a.m. to promote awareness, ease the stigma of depression and mental illness, and celebrate lives lost to suicide. Over 1,000 participants joined in the Woodlands' Out of the Darkness walk in 2013, and this year's event will feature booths, resources and tributes to loved ones.