Don't underestimate a suicidal comment!
From time to time, we all feel sad, depressed, stressed, or angry, especially when dealing with pressures from school, friends, and family. But in some people, feelings of sadness and hopelessness do not go away and are accompanied by suicidal thoughts.
You may have heard that people who talk about suicide never actually attempt it. But it's not true. People who talk about suicide are more likely to attempt it.
Other warning signs that someone may be thinking about committing suicide include:
- talk about suicide or death in general
- search the internet for ways to kill yourself or buy objects to commit suicide
- talk about being desperate or having no reason to live
- engaging in self-destructive behaviors (such as heavy drinking alcohol, using drugs, driving too fast, or engaging in self-injurious behaviors such as cutting yourself)
- visit or call familiar people to say goodbye
- give away belongings
What I can do?
ask her
If you have a friend who is talking about suicide or displaying other warning signs, don't wait Let's see if it starts to get better. Talk about it. Ask him directly if he is thinking about committing suicide. Having the courage to ask these types of questions can help you save a friend's life.
Some people (both teens and adults) don't want to ask a teen if they've been thinking about killing themselves or hurting themselves. They may worry that by asking, they are putting the idea of suicide into the other person's mind. But research has shown that this is 100% false. If you're worried that a friend of yours is contemplating suicide, ask them.
Asking someone if they are having suicidal ideas can be difficult. It may help to let your friend know why you are asking. For example, you can say, "I've noticed you're talking a lot about death and wanting to be dead. Have you had ideas about killing yourself? Be prepared for their answer and be ready to explain it to a trusted adult, be it from your family or from your study center, so that they can help your friend.
count it
If your friend asks you to keep it a secret, let him know that you care and that you need to share what he has explained with a trusted adult. You may feel like you are betraying your friend, but these kinds of thoughts should always be shared with a trusted adult.