How To Stop Suicides: Spot Warning Signs and Risk Factors Before It's Too Late

Just days before celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain committed suicide, he tweeted the title song for the upcoming episode of Parts Unknown, a Chinese song named "Rising Sun Blues (House of the Rising Sun)". Fans were confused. A seemingly mentally sound man, looking forward to the future suddenly decides to kill himself. He showed no signs.

We'd like imagine those with suicide on their mind as visibly deranged, depressed and just short of carrying a placard that states, "I need help." But unlike signs of physical ailments, those of mental ailments may or may not manifest. There's no way to say for sure whether someone may be contemplating death. Even while making movie plans with you for the weekend, the person may be wondering whether the fan could bear his body weight tonight. There's no way to predict.

Mental health conditions are often seen as a cause of suicide. But that's not a rule set in stone. Many people who commit suicide may not be diagnosed with a mental health condition at the time of their death. In cases of celebrity suicides like Robin Williams, Chester Bennington, Chris Cornell and the recent Kate Spade, the news of their struggles with depression became public only after their deaths.

There's no generic set of signs that may fit all. But mental health practitioners have compiled a list of risk factors and warning signs of people who may have suicide on their minds. If you wish to save a life, here's what you should know.

Factors That Contribute Towards Suicide

According to data from National Violent Death Reporting System compiled by Center for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC), following are some of the factors that influence suicidal tendencies.

Relationship Problems: The leading cause of suicides among people, according to CDC's data, is relationship problems. Factors like breakups, divorces, etc. contribute to suicides. Around 42 percent of all the cases are tied to relationship problems.

Crisis: Any crisis of a personal or professional nature in the past or in the upcoming future (two weeks) make up for 29 percent of the cases.

Problematic substance abuse: Drug abuse contributes to 28 percent of suicides. Suicidal behaviour and substance abuse are therefore closely connected.

Physical Health Problem: Prolonged illnesses can make a person take the drastic step, case in point IPS officer Himanshu Roy's suicide. According to CDC, 22 two percent of all cases are tied to physical health problems.

Criminal Legal Problem: Being embroiled in legal cases of a criminal nature is tied to 9 percent of the cases.

Loss of housing: Loss of shelter can be unnerving and can trigger a depressive episode. Four percent of all cases are linked to loss of housing.

Warning Signs of Suicide

Those who are contemplating suicide may have exhibit some of these signs:

• Talking or joking about suicide. "I want to die," "I wish I were dead," "What's the use of living?" "I'm a burden to others," or "I wish I hadn't been born."

• Suspicious purchases, usually suicide paraphernalia like rope, gun, poison, knife, switchblade, etc.

• Reclusive behaviour or limited social behaviour

• Suspicious internet searches, especially on methods to kill oneself.

• Feeling of hopelessness and a sense of being trapped

• Substance abuse (which is also a contributing factor)

• Insomnia

• Increased anxiety

• Reckless behaviour of a self-destructive nature

• Preparing a will and parting with personal belongings

• Preoccupation with death and morbid thoughts

• Changes in the personality; excessive anger to excessive calmness

• Saying goodbye

What Should Be Done?

In the likely event that someone may exhibit these signs, it's important to keep a watch on them.

• If it is some you know closely, ask them earnestly whether they have plans to commit suicide.

• Keep them safe by reducing their access to weapons, poisons or other things they could use to harm themselves.

• Talk to them but don't reprimand them about the value of life. Lend an ear and give them strength.

• Connect them to a health care professional or a suicide counsellor.

• Follow up; call on them to see how they are faring.

Suicides are one the leading cause of deaths worldwide and possibly, the most preventable one out of the lot. The best bet in such cases is to refer anyone whom you suspect of having suicidal tendencies to a mental health professional. Attempting to offer solutions to their problem will have devastating consequences. Make them feel valued, give them a reason to hold on. And don't leave them alone under any circumstances.

(Reference: Suicide Warning Signs in Clinical Practice, CDC)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 09, 2018 05:31 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).