September is suicide prevention month, designed to raise awareness of suicide, spread life-saving information, and help people affected by this kind of emergency. According to NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, suicide is a crisis within the US. It is the second leading cause of death among people aged 10-14, the third leading cause of death among those aged 15-24. It’s also counted as the 12th leading cause of death overall in the U.S.

At The Source, we have a heart for the preservation of life, but we don’t only want people to live, but to thrive, be safe, and well cared for. So while our focus is on babies and growing families, we also want to join with other nonprofits across the country to raise awareness about suicide signs and prevention. 

Every life is valuable, precious, and worth living—that means every person at risk of self harm is someone worth helping.   

If you struggle with self-harm or suicidal ideation, we encourage you to dial 988 which is the national suicide prevention hotline or connect with us to talk with one of our licensed professional counselors. 

Suicide, like most other mental health crises, have symptoms and warning signs. These symptoms may differ from person to person but we encourage you to be aware of the following suicide warning signs among the people close to you.

_{Suicide Warning Signs}

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^{Changed Speech} 

Here are some of the things you may hear from people who are contemplating suicide:

1. Explicit mention of suicide referring directly to an intent to self harm, such as "I'm going to kill myself," "I wish I were dead" or "I wish I hadn't been born."
2. Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
3. Talking or writing about death, dying or violence

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^{Changed Moods}

Here are some changes you may notice from people contemplating suicide.

1. Drastic personality changes; they may become overly anxious or agitated or have severe mood swings, such as being emotionally high one day and deeply sad the next
2. Feeling trapped or hopeless about a situation
3. A recent, noticeable episode of depression, emotional distress, and/or anxiety
4. Expressing rage or recklessness

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^{Changed Actions}

Here are some common actions taken among people considering suicide:

1. Losing interest in personal appearance or hygiene
2. Acquiring the means for suicide, such as buying a gun or gathering a supply of pills
3. Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
4. Withdrawing from social contact and wanting to be left alone
5. Saying goodbye to friends and family
6. Giving away prized possessions
7. Changing routines, including eating or sleeping patterns.

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^{Next Steps For You}

If you suspect that someone you know may be struggling with suicidal ideation, we encourage you to avoid any temptation to distance yourself from them, which can feel more comfortable than leaning in. It’s important to offer any support that you’re able to, and that begins with figuring out the person’s risk of self harm. 

They may not be ready to be honest with you, but we suggest gently and directly asking a few questions in an effort to discern the threat they pose to themself. These questions may feel invasive, so use discretion on when and where you ask them. For instance, consider taking the person out to their favorite restaurant or on a private walk which can help open them up to you and lower their defenses. Ask a few of these questions as recommended by the Mayo Clinic:

• How are you coping with what's been happening in your life?
• Do you ever feel like just giving up?
• Are you thinking about dying?
• Are you thinking about hurting yourself?
• Are you thinking about suicide?
• Have you ever thought about suicide before or tried to harm yourself before?
• Have you thought about how or when you'd do it?
• Do you have access to weapons or things that can be used as weapons to harm yourself?

Remember, asking about thoughts or feelings about suicide will not push a person into suicide. In fact, giving someone a chance to talk about feelings may reduce the person's risk of acting on those feelings.

Upon checking in with the person, there’s a chance you identify some of the above warning signs for suicide. If you suspect that the person is contemplating suicide, even if they’re not in imminent danger, we recommend stepping in to offer support as soon as possible. Here are some ways you can help:

• Urge the person to contact a suicide hotline by calling or texting 988. The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline also has a Spanish-language phone line at 1-888-628-9454 (toll-free).
• Encourage them to open up to you. If someone is considering suicide, they might be feeling ashamed, guilty, or embarrassed. It's crucial to be supportive and understanding. Share your thoughts without assigning blame and practice active, empathetic listening.
• Someone who’s thinking about suicide may not have the motivation to find help, so you can encourage them to seek treatment. Support groups, crisis centers, and faith communities are good options. While you can offer advice too, we recommend leaving the heavy lifting to a mental health professional.
• When someone is experiencing suicidal thoughts, it can feel like there's no way things could improve. However, it's important to emphasize that there are effective treatments available. These treatments not only address the immediate crisis but also teach alternative coping strategies that can significantly improve one's quality of life over time.
• Offer to assist the person take steps to get help and support. You can research treatment options. Offer to make phone calls and review insurance benefit information. You also can offer to go with the person to an appointment.
• Avoid patronizing or criticizing individuals. For instance, refrain from phrases like "It could be worse" or "You should be grateful for what you have." Instead, consider asking questions such as "What's contributing to your current feelings?" "How can I support you?" or "What steps might improve your well-being?"
• Be respectful and note the person's feelings. Do not try to change the person's feelings or express shock. Remember, even though someone with thoughts about suicide is not thinking clearly, the emotions are real. Not respecting how the person feels can cause the person to stop talking.
• Avoid making promises to keep someone's feelings about suicide confidential. It's important to show empathy and explain that you might not be able to maintain such confidentiality. If you believe the person is at risk, it is crucial to seek help immediately.
• Encouraging the person to avoid alcohol and drugs is crucial. While substance use might seem like a way to numb pain, they often exacerbate problems. They can lead to risky behaviors and worsen feelings of depression. If you know someone struggling, offer support in finding treatment to help them quit.
• If possible, remove potentially harmful items from the person's home to reduce the risk of self-harm. Ensure that there are no objects available that could be used for suicide, such as knives, razors, guns, or drugs. If the person is taking medication that could be misused, encourage them to have someone else manage and dispense it according to their prescription.

Suicide is extremely serious and the people in your life are lucky to have someone like you’s willing to learn more about suicide prevention. Thank you for doing your part by reading this blog. 

We’d like to leave you with this—you're not responsible for preventing a suicide. But you can take action to help others see that other options are available to stay safe and get treatment.

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