How to stop a suicide
As the holidays grow closer, I feel the need to write about a difficult topic - suicide. Recently, the Colorado advertising community lost a vital member to this mental illness. I found this news particularly difficult to hear as I am a suicide survivor.
I am one of the lucky ones; I didn’t try hard enough, or God decided to spare me. But this doesn’t change the fact that I am suicidal, and it’s something my family must live with every day.
I first attempted suicide at 17 using pills. Fortunately, I lived, and I overcame that need for many years. Then, after experiencing a cascade of illness in my fifties, I became despondent and tried several more times. Understanding why someone attempts suicide is complex, but today, I want you to understand that once a person begins having suicidal ideation (planning different ways to kill yourself), you are in danger. And this thinking rarely goes away. It can be easily re-triggered by life events.
If you notice a friend or relative or pulling away, spending more time alone, or talking about feeling worthless, ask if they have seen a doctor recently. You may think this is intrusive, but don’t. A primary care physician knows what questions to ask to determine if a person is entering a suicidal state. Remember, we are trying to prevent a person from a suicide attempt.
The best program I found was Dialectical Behavior Therapy or DBT. Many good mental health centers in your area should offer it. DBT provides a proven set of tools to manage suicidal thoughts and the reasons for them. There are often groups around to help people continue working on the skills. And that’s critical. A suicidal person must continue to practice the tools to keep the mind healthy. Being suicidal is no different than being an alcoholic. You must work your program daily.
We also must become more comfortable talking about suicide. That’s why I am coming out today with this message. I don’t mind if you know I have this illness. I only care if we don’t work to help others who are suffering from it.
I also have used the suicide prevention hotline. It helps. I keep the number by my bed. In case you need it, the national number is
1-800-273-8255.