Suicide

Suicide.

Yes, the forbidden topic.

No one wants to talk about it. No one wants to admit that they get suicidal thoughts or secret plans of how they would go through with it.

Yet, when people get brave enough to talk about it, they are usually ignored or dealt with in an inappropriate fashion that doesn’t seem to help.

Everyone is unique and their mental stability varies , as does our thought process. There are also numerous reasons some people resort to thinking about, attempting and committing suicide.

Let me be very honest. When my ocd and depression got so bad as a kid, I wanted nothing more then to be dead. Especially when my ocd focused on me being a terrible person. I was convinced that I was evil and should not exist. I felt I was a danger to society. My ocd convinced me of such. Still to this day, when my head starts racing with terrible ocd thoughts, and I’m so depressed I can’t think straight, suicidal thoughts surface. Obliviously, I have never attempted or committed suicide. Thankfully I’m still here. Fortunately, When I do have my breakdowns, I never loose my whole grasp on reality. I know deep down that suicide will not solve anything. I have to much to loose, to many people who love me, and that there is always some shrink out there that can fix me. (Even if in the moment, I feel like I have nothing, like everyone hates me, and that I’m just plain fucked).

Chemical imbalance can cloud one’s judgement and muffle decisions. Most people who attempt or commit suicide have an emotional or mental disorder. Mainly those with depression or bipolar disorder. But also those with drug or alcohol addiction and financially difficulties.

Most people who commit suicide, don’t want to die, they just want the hurt to go away.

We can’t say that those who commit suicide are cowards, because most will never know what they are going through. Imagine feeling so lost, and unable to think rationally. Nor can we justify suicide. We need to speak openly about suicide without judgment so those who need the help can feel comfortable reaching out.



Common Warning Signs of suicide

Signs of depression or feelings of hopeless
Lack of interest, or energy. Also drastic changes in energy level
Changing in eating habits, appearance or sleep patterns.
Any dramatic changes in behaviour, actions or attitude
Dropping out of hobbies, sports, jobs
Talking about death
Talking about suicide
Joking about dying and suicide.
A previous suicide attempt
Talking about or making a suicide plan
Risk taking behaviour. ( drinking excessively, driving recklessly, drug use, unsafe sex…)
Writing goodbye letters and giving away prized possessions


What to do when someone you know might commit suicide.

SPEAK UP. Pretending and hoping it won’t happen doesn’t help. Soceity lets to much stuff go unnoticed. Suicide is real. Help save a life!

When there is immediate danger, call 911.

If you can convince someone to go to the ER, get them there. Most emergency rooms deal with this fantastically. You simply tell the triage what is going on.

Hrm has a great mobile crisis team. They are trained to deal with any mental crisis, including suicide. They will even come to you. Local :429-8167 or toll free:1 888 429 8167

Regardless how in-depth they are with you about suicide, they need to talk with someone who is trained in that area. A family dr can offer some assistance , and also refer her/him to someone who can help. However, this sometimes takes a few months.

There is also the option of finding a psychologist privately. www.apns.ca/findpsych.html


Google searches can be quite helpful. Always feel free to contact me through here, face book, or email if you have any questions that I might be able to help you with.