Over the past decade suicide mindset rates have significantly increased in the United States. A suicidal mindset is a serious problem and can happen to anyone. Suicidal mindsets do not always equate to mortalities, regardless these numbers have trended upwards spanning across varied age groups and greatly impacting middle aged adults, young adults and even teens. According to 2020 reports from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 12.2 million adults seriously thought about suicide, 3.2 million made a plan, and 1.2 million attempted suicide.
Many people who are considering suicide do not easily confide in others, and may be struggling through trauma, depression or intense stressors which they find are difficult to handle or manage. Professional support is always a great option to assist them during these times so encourage them to talk to someone. Whether you know someone or whether this is just for informational purposes consider the following to support someone who may be struggling with a suicidal mindset.
- Reach out to the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, text or call, 988.
- Call 911 or transport them to the nearest hospital.
- Reach out for mental health services.
- Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
We can also learn to be vigilant of the possibility someone close to us may be struggling with a suicidal mindset.
Pay attention to their language and behavior
If a person is talking about suicide, take them seriously. Do not dismiss them or their concerns as a sign of weakness or immaturity; this could lead them to feel even more hopeless and helpless. Take notice of suspicious behaviors of someone who has expressed suicidal ideation, such as:
- Frequent changes in personality or mood.
- Increase in substance abuse.
- Withdrawal from friends and family.
Do not leave a person who has expressed suicidal feelings alone, even for a moment.
If you see a person whom you feel is “high risk,” and are worried they may engage in unsafe behaviors do not leave them alone; no matter how much it may seem like the person wants to be left alone and even if that person indicates that they do want to be left alone.
Get involved and use “active listening.”
Active listening is a skill that can be learned. It’s more than just hearing what the other person is saying, it involves paraphrasing and summarizing what they’re saying so you can truly understand their point of view.
If you’re having trouble figuring out how to use active listening effectively, try these tips:
- Listen intently with your eyes closed: this will help keep your focus on what they’re saying instead of getting distracted by other things around them (like their appearance).
- Paraphrase back after each sentence or thought without interrupting them: this will help them feel heard and understood by showing that you took in their entire thought process before responding with something like “I see.”
- Encourage them to talk about it and to express their feelings: If the person you are with wants to speak, listen without judgment and try to understand their point of view. Do not judge what they say or how they feel; instead, just be there for them and let them know that you care about them.
Conclusion
You can help someone with a suicidal mindset by listening carefully to them, being there for them, and showing that you care. Be sure to take action if you suspect a person might be at risk of suicide. If possible, find out what the person needs before making any decisions about what steps should be taken next. Let’s care for our loved ones and communities. Let’s learn and grow together and spread the word to everyone you know!