Everyone can help prevent suicides because:
- About 80% of the time people who kill themselves have given definite signals or talked about suicide
- Most suicidal people don’t really want to die – they just want their pain to end
So, all one needs to know is:
- How to identify someone at high risk (Warning signs)
- What to do. (Intervention)
Warning Signs:
- Observable signs of serious depression
- Unrelenting low mood
- Pessimism
- Hopelessness
- Desperation
- Anxiety, psychic pain, inner tension
- Withdrawal
- Sleep problems
- Increased alcohol and/or other drug use
- Recent impulsiveness and taking unnecessary risks
- Threatening suicide or expressing strong wish to die
- Making a plan
- Giving away prized possessions
- Purchasing a firearm
- Obtaining other means of killing oneself
- Unexpected rage or anger
DSM – V – Suicide Assessment Dimension
High level of concern:
1.Living alone, chronic severe pain, or recent (within 3 months) significant loss
2.Recent psychiatric admission/discharge or first diagnosis…
View original post 536 more words
