Making Sense of Loss After Suicide
When a loved one dies by suicide, the world becomes a frightening and confusing place for those affected by the loss. The question of “why” remains at the forefront of thought. Why did they take their own life and how could those close to them not anticipate this happening?
Many don’t understand, or due to the stigma, don’t want to understand the reasons behind why someone dies by suicide. The taking of one’s life seems intangible, and there is difficulty in converting what we don’t understand about suicide into a tangible and logical way so it makes sense to us.
Risk Factors and the Importance of Early Intervention
Suicide is the second leading cause of death in youth aged 10-24. Mental health illnesses such as depression and anxiety disorder along with life circumstances such as bullying or a family member who died by suicide, are some of the factors that can increase the risk of those in this age group in taking their own life. Early intervention, access to mental health resources, and safe and supportive environments can help alleviate these risks.
Everyone Can Play a Role in Prevention
Youth suicide is a public health risk, and all community members can play a significant role in helping to reduce stigma and promote awareness in the prevention of youth suicide. Community members can be part of early intervention, by learning the risk factors and warnings signs associated with youth suicide and how to become a protective factor by contributing to reducing the incidence of suicide in the youth of our communities.
What to Watch For
Warning Signs for Suicide
Individual, relationship, community, and societal factors may influence the risk of suicide.
Know the suicide warning signs including:
- Feeling like a burden
- Being isolated
- Increased anxiety
- Feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
- Increased substance use
- Looking for a way to access lethal means
- Increased anger or rage
- Extreme mood swings
- Expressing hopelessness
- Sleeping too little or too much
- Talking or posting about wanting to die
Signs that may signal a depressed teen
Who Could Be Considering Suicide:
Individual, relationship, community, and societal factors may influence the risk of suicide.
Know the suicide warning signs including:
- withdrawal from friends and family members
- trouble in romantic relationships
- difficulty getting along with others
- changes in the quality of schoolwork or lower grades
- rebellious behaviors
- unusual gift-giving or giving away own possessions
- appearing bored or distracted
- writing or drawing pictures about death
- running away from home
- changes in eating habits
- dramatic personality changes
- changes in appearance (for the worse)
- sleep disturbances
- drug or alcohol abuse
- talk of suicide, even in a joking way
- having a history of previous suicide attempts
- Making plans for suicide
Risk Factors for Suicide
A combination of individual, relational, community and societal factors contribute to the risk of suicide. Risk factors are those characteristics associated with suicide—they may or may not be direct causes.
Risk Factors:
- Family history of suicide
- Family history of child maltreatment
- Previous suicide attempt(s)
- History of mental disorders, particularly depression
- History of alcohol and substance abuse
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Impulsive or aggressive tendencies
- Cultural and religious beliefs (e.g., belief that suicide is noble resolution of a personal dilemma)
- Local epidemics of suicide
- Isolation, a feeling of being cut off from other people
- Barriers to accessing mental health treatment
- Loss (relational, social, work, or financial)
- Physical illness
- Easy access to lethal methods
- Unwillingness to seek help because of the stigma attached to mental health and substance abuse disorder
Protective Factors for Suicide
Protective factors buffer individuals from suicidal thoughts and behavior. To date, protective factors have not been studied as extensively or rigorously as risk factors. Identifying and understanding protective factors are, however, equally as important as researching risk factors.
- Effective clinical care for mental, physical, and substance abuse disorders
- Easy access to a variety of clinical interventions and support for help seeking
- Family and community support (connectedness)
- Support from ongoing medical and mental health care relationships
- Skills in problem solving, conflict resolution, and nonviolent ways of handling disputes
- Cultural and religious beliefs and discourage suicide and support instincts for self-preservation (U.S. Public Health Service 1999)
Don’t Be Afraid to Talk About the Problem
If you’re concerned about how to help a depressed teen, don’t be afraid to talk to him or her about the problem. It can help to reassure them that they are loved and that you are available to help work out any problems. Be a good listener, don’t judge, and don’t dismiss any of their concerns. It’s OK to directly ask if he or she has ever thought of killing him or herself. If you suspect this teen is suicidal, seek professional help immediately.
What To Do When You Suspect Someone May Be at Risk for Suicide:
Crisis Support
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
What is 988?
988 is a three-digit number that offers 24/7 and statewide access to crisis services via call, text, or chat. Trained crisis specialists are available and can help individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts, substance use, and/or mental health crisis or any other kind of emotional distress. While 988 is available nationally, it is up to each state to ensure crisis services are adequately funded and available to anyone, anywhere, anytime. Missouri’s 988 Task Force continues to develop plans for 988 and the Missouri Crisis Care Continuum.
How does 988 Work?
When someone calls, chats, or texts 988, they can expect to be connected to a trained crisis specialist who is ready to listen and help. Because a crisis is defined by the person or family experiencing it, the crisis specialist will engage with the person to understand and address the person’s unique concerns and needs. The call is free and confidential, you decide how much information to share. Support doesn’t have to end with that conversation. Our crisis specialists can connect you with resources for follow up. If a higher level of care is needed at the time of contact, the crisis specialist will work with the caller and other supports to connect them to a mobile crisis response team to respond to the person in the community.
When should you call 988?
If you are thinking about suicide, are experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, or are worried about a friend or loved one, reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for support by calling or texting 988, or chatting at https://chat.988lifeline.org/
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273 TALK (8255)
“The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We’re committed to improving crisis services and advancing suicide prevention by empowering individuals, advancing professional best practices, and building awareness.”