Column: Maiden Voyage, by Sherry Westland

Sept. 10 was World Suicide Prevention Day. Many in Albert Lea came to Central Park Tuesday for a prayer vigil.

Coming up, what’s called an Out of Darkness Walk takes place in Rochester on Saturday to honor loved ones and to raise funds to save lives. You can register or donate here: www.afsp.org.

In light of National Suicide Prevention Week, Sept. 8-14, I think it’s appropriate to list the following risk factors and warning signs for suicide. There are various lists of risk and warning signs put out by different national organizations; however, I will use information from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention:

 

Risk factors for suicide

Risk factors for suicide are characteristics or conditions that increase the chance that a person may try to take her or his life. Suicide risk tends to be highest when someone has several risk factors at the same time.

The most frequently cited risk factors for suicide are:

• Depression or bipolar (manic-depressive) disorder.

• Alcohol or substance abuse or dependence.

• Schizophrenia.

• Borderline or antisocial personality disorder.

• Conduct disorder (in youth).

• Psychotic disorders, psychotic symptoms in the context of any disorder.

• Anxiety disorders.

• Impulsivity and aggression, especially in the context of the above mental disorders.

• Previous suicide attempt.

• Family history of attempted or completed suicide.

• Serious medical condition or pain.

It is important to bear in mind that the large majority of people with mental disorders or other suicide risk factors do not engage in suicidal behavior.

 

Environmental factors that increase suicide risk

Some people who have one or more of the major risk factors above can become suicidal in the face of factors in their environment, such as:

• A highly stressful life event such as losing someone close, financial loss or trouble with the law.

• Prolonged stress due to adversities such as unemployment, serious relationship conflict, harassment or bullying.

• Exposure to another person’s suicide, or to graphic or sensationalized accounts of suicide (contagion).

• Access to lethal methods of suicide during a time of increased risk.

Again, though, it is important to remember that these factors do not usually increase suicide risk for people who are not already vulnerable because of a preexisting mental disorder or other major risk factors. Exposure to extreme or prolonged environmental stress, however, can lead to depression, anxiety and other disorders that in turn, can increase risk for suicide.

 

Protective factors for suicide

Protective factors for suicide are characteristics or conditions that may help to decrease a person’s suicide risk. While these factors do not eliminate the possibility of suicide, especially in someone with risk factors, they may help to reduce that risk. Protective factors for suicide have not been studied as thoroughly as risk factors, so less is known about them.

Protective factors for suicide include:

• Receiving effective mental health care.

• Positive connections to family, peers, community and social institutions such as marriage and religion that foster resilience.

• The skills and ability to solve problems

Protective factors may reduce suicide risk by helping people cope with negative life events, even when those events continue over a period of time. The ability to cope or solve problems reduces the chance that a person will become overwhelmed, depressed or anxious. Protective factors do not entirely remove risk, however, especially when there is a personal or family history of depression or other mental disorders.

 

Warning signs for suicide

In contrast to longer term risk and protective factors, warning signs are indicators of more acute suicide risk.

Thinking about heart disease helps to make this clear. Risk factors for heart disease include smoking, obesity and high cholesterol. Having these factors does not mean that someone is having a heart attack right now, but rather that there is an increased chance that they will have heart attack at some time. Warning signs of a heart attack are chest pain, shortness of breath and nausea. These signs mean that the person may be having a heart attack right now and needs immediate help.

As with heart attacks, people who die by suicide usually show some indication of immediate risk before their deaths. Recognizing the warning signs for suicide can help us to intervene to save a life.

A person who is thinking about suicide may say so directly: “I’m going to kill myself.” More commonly, they may say something more indirect: “I just want the pain to end,” or “I can’t see any way out.”

Most of the time, people who kill themselves show one or more of these warning signs before they take action:

• Talking about wanting to kill themselves, or saying they wish they were dead.

• Looking for a way to kill themselves, such as hoarding medicine or buying a gun.

• Talking about a specific suicide plan.

• Feeling hopeless or having no reason to live.

• Feeling trapped, desperate or needing to escape from an intolerable situation.

• Having the feeling of being a burden to others.

• Feeling humiliated.

• Having intense anxiety and/or panic attacks.

• Losing interest in things, or losing the ability to experience pleasure.

• Insomnia.

• Becoming socially isolated and withdrawn from friends, family and others.

• Acting irritable or agitated.

• Showing rage, or talking about seeking revenge for being victimized or rejected, whether or not the situations the person describes seem real.

Individuals who show such behaviors should be evaluated for possible suicide risk by a medical doctor or mental health professional.

 

What to do

Take it seriously.

Of all people who attempt suicide, 50 percent to 75 percent tell someone about their intention.

If someone you know shows the warning signs above, the time to act is now.

Ask questions.

Begin by telling the suicidal person you are concerned about them.

Tell them specifically what they have said or done that makes you feel concerned about suicide.

Don’t be afraid to ask whether the person is considering suicide, and whether they have a particular plan or method in mind. These questions will not push them toward suicide if they were not considering it.

Ask if they are seeing a clinician or are taking medication so the treating person can be contacted.

 

Albert Lea resident Sherry Westland is Ms. Minnesota in the Ms. Senior America Pageant and holds the title of Senior Ms. Global United.