Dr. Abhilekh Das, M.D.
Consultant Psychiatrist and Deaddiction Specialist
The 10th of September is observed as the World Suicide Prevention Day to spread awareness about suicides. Dr. Abhilekh Das writes about the early warning signs to suicide to detect and prevent casualty. Although there are no clinical way to conclusively predict such events, but these can definitely help. And these signs may very well save many lives.
Studies show that persons who undergo mental health treatment seldom commit suicide. To talk about suicide and to actually do it are two different things. But this transition may take place in a very small time, if we miss out on these warning signs. Empathy is an important and necessary trait of modern day.
Warning Signs of Suicide on World Suicide Prevention Day
- A person contemplating suicide will start using “end of life” language. There will be a theme of hopelessness in their words, as if life has become futile for them. They will talk about wanting to take their own life or may use words that will make death look like an escape from a painful life. They may feel like a burden on their family and could be thinking that dying will relieve that burden.
- They will show sudden change in their behavior. An extrovert person may suddenly become less social. They might stop coming out of their rooms, they may cease to make social visits. This isolation will help them in executing their suicidal tendencies which they are harboring.
- A person planning to end his/her life will start giving away their prized possessions. They will start making arrangements for end of life like making a will, donating money or even organize farewell visits to friends/relatives.
- Sometimes near ones may get some direct warning signs from the patient itself. A suicide note in their room, catching them in the act of attempting suicide or websites showing information on how to commit suicide on their browsing history could prove to be pivotal in identifying suicide suspects.
- Narcotic substances may loosen the psychological grip against suicide in a patient contemplating the same. Even in their last moments, persons who commit suicide always have an element of ambiguity but intoxication may push such a person over the bridge by creating a sense of fearlessness towards death. Due to their clouding of judgement, they will view death as the darker yet better option to escape from their emotional pain. Therefore if someone has started to consume alcohol in a harmful pattern and is under extreme stress, it could point towards high suicide risk.
