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INFOBITS
Although suicidal people may not call prevention centers and hotlines, they usually do seek help. Almost 75% of all suicide victims visit their mental health professional in the 4 months prior to their deaths, while 50% in the month before.15
The actual ratio of attempts to completed suicides is probably at least 10 to 1.16
30% to 40% of people who committed suicide have made a previous attempt.17
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Warnings of Suicide
Warning Signs of Suicide
All mentions of suicide, death, or violence must be taken seriously. If you, a friend or a loved one displays any of the following warning signs of suicide, please contact your mental health professional immediately or go to the emergency room for help.
- Talking about killing oneself
- Making verbal suicide threats such as “Maybe I won’t be around,” “ It would be better if I wasn’t’ here,” or “I want out”
- Always talking or thinking about death
- Talking about hopelessness and helplessness
- Having a “death wish,” displaying risky behavior can lead to death such as running through red lights or driving recklessly fast
- Unexpected shift from being very sad, to being very calm, to appearing to be happy
- Depression
- Previous suicide attempts
- Lack of interest in future plans
- Visiting or calling people to say goodbye
- Putting affairs in order, writing a will, giving away prized possessions
Previous suicide attempts increases the risks for future suicides and completed suicides. The more detailed a suicide plan, the greater the risk that the person will carry out the suicide.
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If you or someone you know is thinking of committing suicide, there is help. Call any of the numbers below immediately:
1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) or
1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
To connect you with a crisis center in your area, call or go to:
1-800-784-2433 or go to www.hopeline.com
What to Do If Someone You Know is Suicidal
• Listen to and take the person seriously
• Get professional help – either by immediately calling a mental health professional or accompanying the person to the nearest emergency room -- even if he or she is resistant
• Do not leave the person alone; remove any weapons or drugs that may be used
• Do not swear to secrecy
• Do not be judgmental or act shocked
• Do not counsel the person yourself
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