By Annie Goods, Winn Parish DART Advocate
Thoughts of suicide can be frightening. But by reaching out for help or checking in with family and friends, we can avoid devastating outcomes. Comments or thoughts about suicide, also known as suicidal ideation, can begin small, for example, “I wish I wasn’t here” or “Nothing matters.” But over time, they can become more explicit and dangerous.

Here are a few other warning signs of suicide:

• Increased alcohol and drug use.
• Aggressive behavior.
• Withdrawal from friends, family and community.
• Dramatic mood swings.
• Impulsive or reckless behavior.

Suicidal behaviors are a psychiatric emergency. If you or a loved one starts to take any of these steps, seek immediate help from a health care provider or call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

• Collecting and saving pills or buying a weapon.
• Giving away possessions.
• Tying up loose ends, like organizing personal papers or paying off debts.
• Saying goodbye to friends and family.

If you are unsure, a licensed mental health professional can help assess.

Research has found that 46% of people who die by suicide had a known mental health condition. Several other factors may put a person at risk of suicide, including but not limited to:

• A family history of suicide.
• Substance use. Drugs can create mental highs and lows that worsen suicidal thoughts.
• Intoxication. Analysis from the CDC indicates around one in five people who die by suicide had alcohol in their system at the time of death.
• Access to firearms.
• A serious or chronic medical illness.
• Gender. Although more women than men attempt suicide, men are four times more likely to die by suicide.
• A history of trauma or abuse.
• Prolonged stress.
• A recent tragedy or loss.

When a suicide-related crisis occurs, friends and family are often caught off-guard, unprepared and unsure of what to do. The behaviors of a person experiencing a crisis can be unpredictable, changing dramatically without warning. There are a few ways to approach a suicide-related crisis.

• Talk openly and honestly. Don’t be afraid to ask questions like, “Do you have a plan for how you would kill yourself?”
• Remove means such as guns, knives or stockpiled pills.
• Calmly ask simple and direct questions, like “Can I help you call your psychiatrist?”
• If there are multiple people around, have one person speak at a time.
• Express support and concern.
• Don’t argue, threaten or raise your voice.
• Don’t debate whether suicide is right or wrong.
• If you’re nervous, try not to fidget or pace.
• Be patient.

Annie Goods of the Winn Parish DART Office says suicide is not the answer. There is hope. If help is needed, call the 1-800 Suicide Hotline.