Suicide-- warnings signs, prevention, experiences & stories and advice

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Today, one of the featured discussions in the Family section of myLot has to do with the suicide of young person and I promised there that I would do a post listing the signs of that someone might be contemplating suicide and I will also include something here about ways prevent yourself from committing suicide and ways to help those who are suicidal and things that people can do to prevent suicides in friends and family members. Please share your experiences with this subject and the learnings that you have about this subject. Let us see if we can prevent further suffering in this myLot community. These are the warning signs: 1.) Talking about suicide, saying things like "I wish I were dead" or "I wish I had never been born" etc. 2.) Getting things to commit suicide with like purchasing a gun or stockpiling pills. 3.) Avoiding social interactions with peers and family and wanting to be left alone. 4.) Dramatic mood swings such as one day being very happy and another day being sad and discouraged 5.)Focusing a lot on subjects of death, dying or violence. 6.)Having a situation that makes them feel trapped or hopeless. 7.)Increasing drug or alcohol use 8.) Changing sleeping or eating patterns... not sleeping as much or sleeping more than before or not eating or eating a lot more than before. 9.)Using drugs, driving recklessly or doing other things that are risky. 10.)Giving away possessions and getting affairs in order 11.)Saying goodbye to people they will not be seeing again. 12.)a sudden change in personality such as being very outgoing or shy suddenly These signs are not always seen... And do please remember that just because a person has seemed to improve in their depression does not mean that there is an end to the danger of suicide as it could be that once the depression lifts there is more energy to act on the thoughts of suicide. These are the things to do if you are feeling suicidal: 1.)This site on the net: www.befrienders.org has some hotlines and there are hotlines on the net as well that you can use to find someone to talk to in a hurry. 2.)Do a google search on suicide hotlines in your area and make a call to one. 3.)Do talk with someone you can trust. Tell a friend, minister, priest, counselor, therapist, etc. how you feel. 4.)If the feelings are severe, go to your local E.R. and ask for assistance. They may be able to help you there. 5.)Do try to remember that what you are going through now is a temperary thing. Depression is a wintertime which is always followed by a new spring of energy and happiness if you hold on. 6.) Please hold on because if you are alive you can be assured that you are wanted and needed here on Earth even if you think or believe otherwise. 7.) When you overcome your pain, your feelings of guilt, saddness or hopelessness, you will be able to help others because of your increased compassion, wisdom, and experience... You will be better than ever once you survive this time. If you have a friend or relative who is exhibiting some of these warning signs: 1.) do ask that friend or relative how they are feeling as just expressing concern and even asking if they are feeling like ending it all may lessen the risk of suicide as it may give them an opportunity to share their feelings. 2.)Do ask questions like, " are you thinking about giving up?" "Are you thinking about hurting yourself?" "How would you do it if you did it?" "Do you have the means to do it?" "When would you do it?"3.)If you get answers to these questions that make you concerned, then get help from a professional. 4.)Never keep this conversation a secret. That friend or relative needs assistance. 5.) If the person is in immediate danger of committing suicide, call 911 in the United States or whatever number that is used for emergencies in your country. 6.)Please take this seriously. If the person indicates that the desire to commit suicide is strong and the danger is of it happening soon, monitor the one who is suicidal carefully (be with them 24/7) to prevent injury and remove items that they could use to harm themselves until you can get them into a hospital or into oteher treatment. for more information go to: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/suicide/MH00058 Please feel free to add your stories, your experiences and your advice here too. Thanks for reading this and for caring enough to care about yourself and others. I appreciate you. Hugs.