Podcast Summary
Friends and family can make a difference in preventing suicide: Showing care and support can help save lives, while open discussions reduce stigma and encourage seeking professional help
Suicide is a preventable issue, and friends and family can make a difference by showing support and care for loved ones who may be struggling with suicidal thoughts. Suicide is a significant issue in the United States, with approximately 47,000 deaths in 2019, and over 1.4 million attempted suicides that year. Psychologist DeQuincy Lazine, who has personal experience with suicidal thoughts and chairs the lived experience division of the American Association of Suicidology, emphasizes that while professional help is essential, everyday actions can also be helpful. These actions include showing that you care, being there for the person, and creating a safe and supportive environment. By being open to discussing suicidal thoughts and feelings, society can help reduce the stigma surrounding this topic and ultimately save lives.
Identifying warning signs for suicide prevention: Check for signs of depression, withdrawal, or suicidal thoughts. Reach out, check-in, and keep trying to connect. Encourage help and support.
Identifying and helping people with mental health issues before they reach a point of crisis is crucial for suicide prevention. Warning signs can include talking about death or suicide, sudden changes in behavior, mood, sleep or eating patterns, and withdrawal from social activities. If you notice these signs in someone, reach out to them and check-in, letting them know you're there for them. Keep checking in, even if they don't respond initially. Experts suggest leaving voice mails, writing letters, or sending texts as simple gestures that can have a big impact. If someone opens up about feeling depressed, overwhelmed, or hopeless, ask them directly if they're thinking about ending their own life. Remember, it takes loving persistence to reach out to someone who may be withdrawing. If you're unable to talk to them directly, keep trying and be prepared not to hear back right away. The goal is to keep pulling them back to reality and remind them of the value of their life and the support available to them.
Asking about suicidal thoughts doesn't increase risk: Asking loved ones about suicidal thoughts, staying calm, listening, and using resources like the suicide prevention lifeline can help support those at risk and potentially save lives.
While it can be difficult to address suicidal thoughts in loved ones, asking about them does not increase the likelihood of suicide and can actually be helpful. According to suicide prevention experts, staying calm and listening with an open mind is crucial. It's important to remember that the vast majority of people with suicidal thoughts will not attempt suicide. If you're concerned about a loved one's safety, resources like the suicide prevention lifeline can provide valuable support and guidance. Additionally, researchers at Columbia University have developed a set of 6 questions, known as the Columbia Protocol, to help assess a person's risk level. These questions can help determine if a loved one is at high or low risk of attempting suicide and provide steps to make their environment safer. Overall, approaching the topic of suicide with compassion and understanding can make a significant difference in supporting someone through a difficult time.
Calming down a loved one during a suicide crisis: During a suicide crisis, help calm your loved one down, prevent impulsive actions, encourage no important decisions, offer support, and seek professional help if needed.
During a suicide crisis, helping your loved one calm down and preventing any impulsive actions is crucial. This can be achieved through methods like applying an ice pack or practicing paced breathing. Once they've been calmed down, it's important to encourage them to make no important decisions and to be there for them, as they may experience more difficult moments. Making eye contact can also help them out of negative thought patterns. However, it's important to acknowledge that despite our best efforts, some people may still take their own lives, and it's not anyone's fault. The most important thing is to offer love and support, and if necessary, help them seek professional help.
Supporting Someone Through a Mental Health Crisis: Prioritize self-care, seek help, connect with community resources like NAMI, and remember that effective support requires your own well-being.
Supporting someone through a mental health crisis is a challenging journey that requires self-care and community support. It's essential to prioritize your own well-being and seek help if needed. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers peer support groups for loved ones, providing valuable resources and connections in your local area. Remember, you can't effectively help someone else unless you're also receiving the necessary support for yourself. If you're feeling overwhelmed, don't hesitate to reach out to suicide prevention hotlines for assistance. Take care of yourself, connect with others, and be open to seeking help when needed. This conversation between Emily Quang and Ritu Chatterjee, produced by Thomas Lu, Gisele Grayson, and fact-checked by Rasha Aireddy, emphasizes the importance of self-care and community support during mental health crises. For more insights on various topics, listen to The Bid, BlackRock's podcast, featuring Larry Fink discussing challenges facing investors.
