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Suicide: The Facts
Does suicide happen without warning?
No, it often seems that way to the people left behind, but as they look back, they recall clues and warnings they overlooked or were afraid to see at the time. Society, however has not taught the public what these clues and warnings are, nor what to do when they see or hear them.
Consequently, when the danger signs of suicide are seen or heard, fear and denial are the common reactions. Although there are exceptions, suicide is usually the end of a long process, not the beginning. Someone said, "Every suicide has a history."
Less than 5% of suicides are committed by the mentally ill .
Although the suicidal person may be unhappy, anxious and upset; not all persons who take their lives could be diagnosed as mentally ill.
Is every suicide an act of anger or revenge?
No, some people who complete suicide are feeling very angry – often at people near to them. This may or may not be justified. Others who kill themselves genuinely believe their families will be better off without them, and perceive their deaths as a benefit.
Do all suicidal people want to die?
People who are contemplating suicide do not necessarily want to die – they want relief from their painful situation – they want help!
Suicide threats should be taken seriously .
It is a myth that people who talk about suicide won’t do it. About 80% of people who completed suicide gave signals about their intentions prior to it.
Is the crisis over once the depression lifts?
The greatest danger of suicide is the first three months following a deep depression. The happiness and peace of mind exhibited by some persons as they come out of a depression actually result from the fact that they have resolved their crisis by deciding to take their lives.
Will mentioning suicide give the person the idea?
For a person who is considering suicide, having someone to talk the idea out with can be a powerful preventative. If the person has not thought about suicide, but is obviously anxious or depressed, to talk about suicide not being a good option can be a preventative measure. You can assume though, that most depressed or anxious persons have given some thought to taking their lives.
The information in this article was gathered from the book "Death With No Valor", by Robert Douglas and his work with Concerns Of Police Survivors in their training "The Trauma Of Law Enforcement Death".
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