Surviving Suicide

Suicide Statistics and Facts.

In recent years, the number of suicides have alarmingly increased. Over the past decade, the increase has substantially doubled. In 2016 roughly 13.5 for every 100,000 person committed suicide. In 2017 roughly 47,000 Americans committed suicide. In 2017, there were also over one million suicide attempts reported in the United States. Suicide has been said to be the second leading cause of death for those between the age of 15-24.

Many suicides can be prevented, but that is not always the case. Having thoughts of suicide is not said to be a mental illness however, a terrible consequence of a treatable mental disorder. Many people who suffer with mental illnesses, which include: schizophrenia, bi-polar, depression, borderline personality disorders, have had suicidal thoughts.

People exhibit different characteristics, and it is important to notice these characteristics and, behavioral changes. Excessive moodiness. When someone goes through a period of long-lasting sadness — a sadness you cannot wake them from, like a break up with a girlfriend or boyfriend which someone would normally get over within a few months. When someone's mood swings are all over the place, like being happy one moment and completely sad the next, along with excessive sadness that does not seem to end, they may be contemplating suicide. People who wish to end their lives suffer depression in some form, though not always an extreme which the outside world would not notice however, their sleep patterns will exhibit as such: lack thereof. People who are depressed can eventually, go days without sleeping.

The scariest part in the warning signs about someone who is suicidal: the sudden sense of calmness over a person who was just having you concerned for their safety and emotional/mental wellbeing. The sudden sense of calm the person experiences, is not because they are okay now. Which is what people tend to misinterpret. No, no, this is the exact opposite. You see, when someone wants to kill themselves, they go through a period of wanting to kill themselves, thinking of ways to kill themselves, how they would kill themselves, to actually accepting that they are going to kill themselves and have devised a plan to carry out their mission. This means, they have literally set their own death dates, started their funeral planning if they have decided to and have made a plan that is set in stone. This is the time where the person, be it a friend or family member needs you the most. Do not ignore this warning sign which comes shortly after. This is the most crucial piece in saving someone's life or allowing them to die.

Withdrawal from human life. It is the most complicated suicidal warning sign. People who commit suicide, say no one was there for them. Yet, they are the ones who end up turning completely withdrawn from the real world. Sometimes though, suicidal individuals will start to get close to their families and withdraw from their friends.