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Suicide is not something you should ignore. Take a look at some of these warning signs and remember that there are people who can help.
Depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and postpartum depression are all mental illnesses with a high risk of suicide. While these mental illnesses are treatable with medication and therapy, there are many individuals who never seek treatment for their illness. Not seeking treatment could end up with dangerous or even deadly consequences. Let’s take a moment to talk about how to recognize the warning signs of suicide and how you can help.
Warning Signs of Suicide
There are many warning signs someone may be thinking about or even planning to commit suicide. These signs include talking or thinking about death; trouble sleeping, eating, concentrating; loss of interest in activities; taking risks that could lead to death such as running red lights or driving too fast; making comments about being helpless or worthless; putting affairs in order or changing a will; saying things like “I want out” or “it would be better if I wasn’t here”; sudden mood changes; and visiting or saying “goodbye” to people.
What You Should Do
If you recognize the warning signs of suicide in someone close to you, it is important to take these signs seriously. Listen to what they are saying and ask them what they are planning. It is important to let the person know you are really there for them and understand what they are saying. Ask them if they have sought help in the past and help them seek help from a professional as soon as possible. Encourage the person to seek help from a mental health professional or to call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or use their chat service for immediate help. If your loved one is in imminent danger of committing suicide, make sure not to leave them alone and remove all of the drugs and weapons from the area. Accompany them to the nearest emergency room or call 911 for immediate help. It is important for you to be supportive of your loved one and to help them in any way you can. According to the CDC, more than 41,000 people commit suicide every year and it is the tenth leading cause of death among adults in the U.S. If you or someone you know is suffering from a mental illness, it is important to seek help and to formulate a treatment plan with your healthcare professional like those at Family Service Foundation.
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Family Service Foundation, Inc. has been serving the greater Maryland area since 1936. This nonprofit organization helps Maryland residents across a span of different areas such as mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse, and provides interpretation for deaf and deaf-blind individuals. To learn more about cerebral palsy or other developmental disabilities, visit here. Do you “Follow” and “Like?” Be sure to stay active on our official pages on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Pinterest today!
