Yet another suicide is in the press this week after Regina King lost her son to suicide. Former Miss USA, Cheslie Kryst committed suicide this past week. I wanted to talk to you about how to recognize the warning signs in your family and friends, as well as where you can get help.
If your loved one or friend talks about committing suicide, that is one of the warning signs. Unfortunately it is not often one that those contemplating suicide provide. Are they having more trouble sleeping? Are they making drastic changes in behavior? Have they withdrawn from friends or social activities?
Are they preparing for death by writing a will and making final arrangements? Are they giving away prized possessions? Do they have a history of previous suicide attempts? I’d also add, do they have a previous history of self-harm? Do they take unnecessary risks? Have they recently experienced serious losses?
In addition, are they experiencing new or deepening stressors? We’re just coming from the Christmas holidays and Thanksgiving holidays, which are a crisis point for many in our country. Even though we’re going into February now, some issues may linger.
So pay attention if they’re having some new stressors ,increased stressors or new losses. Are they preoccupied with death and dying? Are they losing interest in their personal appearance? Are they increasing their alcohol or substance use? I would also say, are they expressing more hopelessness, helplessness, overwhelmed, pay attention to those clues and listen carefully. As other experts have said, do more than ask are you okay? Ask deeper questions. How are you doing? What is going on with you? Listen for the answer.
For those of you for whom the emotional pain has become great and you feel like you can’t bear it; here are some ways to reach out for help. You could be in therapy but need somebody at that midnight hour or at three in the morning. Did you know that there is a crisis text line? This is provided by the American Suicidology Association. The text number is 7 4 1 7 4 1. You can also try the crisistextline.org. All you have to do is text them that you need help. If you are using the phone, you can you make a phone call to lifeline. There is a Spanish speaking lifeline. Ayuda en Espanol is 8 8 8- 6 2 8- 9 4 5 4.
If you are going to call the suicide prevention lifeline.org, that number is 800-273-8255 . You can also Call the trans lifeline. I know that there may be some people struggling with their sexual identity. You can call 8 7 7- 5 6 5- 8 8 6 0. Again, that number is 8 7 7- 5 6 5- 8 8 6 0. And if it is LGBTQ issues or you’re an adolescent young person struggling with those issues, you can text 6 7 8 6 7 8.
Again, that number is 678678. Or call 866-488-7386. Finally, here is veteran’s crisis line. Text 8 3 8 2 5 5. You may also call if you are a veteran in need of help for crisis 800-273-8255, which is the national suicide prevention lifeline number.
Folks reach out for help either to your therapist, if you’re currently in therapy or to any of these texts or phone numbers, to get some help in the moment. If we can get you from this moment to the next moment and the next moment, we can get you in a better place. We can help you be better able to cope with life. I understand and appreciate how deep and how severe that emotional pain can be. Here are the resources for you and for your loved ones to help you get help.
I hope that if you have come across this and it is helpful for you and those in your family, that you would share it out so that we can lower these numbers for suicide. Nobody has to suffer. Nobody has to suffer in silence. Please get help.
Dr. Karmon Sears