By Dean Rudloff
The Lake County Mental Health Task Force
The North Shore Mental Health Group
It can be hard to tell if someone is thinking about suicide. However, there are some signs you can look for that may help you recognize if a person may be thinking about it. Warning signs can come up in conversations or through action and/or behavioral changes. Most people who die by suicide have one or more warning signs. Think of warning signs as an invitation to help.
So what are some signs that invite our attention? A person contemplating suicide may talk about:
- Wanting to die
- Feeling hopeless or helpless
- Having no purpose or reason to live
- Feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
- Being a burden to others
- Suicide
A person contemplating suicide may be:
- Looking for a way to end their life
- Increasing the use of alcohol of drugs
- Demonstrate a change in sleep like sleeping too little or too much
- Giving away possessions
- Withdrawing from activities
A person contemplating suicide may show behavioral changes like:
- Extreme mood swings
- Uncontrolled anger or talking about seeking revenge
- Anxiety or agitation
- Reckless behavior
In response to these signs, it becomes important for an observer to know how to respond to these signs including: how to talk about mental health and suicide; and how to identify and support individuals who are struggling or having suicidal thoughts. Help is available! QPR is a one session class that trains in these areas. Mental Health First Aid is another class and this one focuses on a 5 step action plan to help people with mental health challenges. Completion of this class offers a certification certificate from the National Council for Mental Wellness. Both classes are offered locally upon request.
One may contact NAMI Minnesota who offers in person and online classes at: namimn.org. Or, contact “Seize the Awkward” @ seizetheawkward.org;#starting-the-conversation. They offer a resource guide aimed at conversation starters, tips for support, and where to get help. One may also contact the Minnesota Department of Health, the National Alliance on Mental Illness MN; and/or our own Lake County Human Services Department. Above all, if you or someone you know needs support now, call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
