Suicide Prevention Month: Help and Resources

September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Suicide claims thousands of lives every year, and we, at Life Coast Community Health Center, think it’s important to try to shrink that number. The key to solving a problem is understanding it, so we encourage everyone to learn about suicide and the preventative resources that they can use to help.

What Are the Warning Signs?

We can only work toward fixing a problem if we can recognize it, so it is important to recognize the warning signs that can indicate suicidal urges. There are a variety of different warning signs because every person is different, but there are some particularly common and important examples:

• Expressing an interest in committing suicide. This is a massive warning sign, and it is important to always take it seriously.

• Research into suicide methods

• Increased use of alcohol or drugs

• Sleeping either too much or too little

• Withdrawing from the world and seeking isolation from friends and family

• Mood swings and significant emotional changes

• Feelings of hopelessness or being trapped in a painful situation

Recognize the Feelings

You should also strive to recognize the feelings that are associated with suicide. Many suicidal individuals go through these feelings. Addressing those feelings can help to resolve the problem and improve the individual’s life.

• Feeling worthless or like a burden on other people

• Feeling unable to make choices or think clearly

• Feeling as though there is no way to stop their pain

• Feeling unable to eat, go to work, sleep or otherwise navigate daily life