Best Way to Prevent Suicide

Feelings of discouragement or even hopelessness are a common part of depression. As many as 30% of people with major depression will have thoughts of suicide at some point. Although these thoughts are always a cause of concern, most people who have suicidal thoughts never act on them. Among those who suffer from depression, suicide is more common among men, those over age 50, and those with significant medical problems.

Getting through a crisis

Thoughts of death or suicide are a common sign of depression. Urges or plans to act on suicidal thoughts are a sign that immediate attention is necessary. When you are in such a crisis, it can be hard to think of much else. The following steps may be useful if you are having suici­dal thoughts.

Talk About It

An honest discussion with friends, family, and your doctor or therapist is the best way to resist suicidal thoughts. Talking about suicidal thoughts doesn’t increase the dan­ger. Many times, an open discussion about suicidal thoughts and feelings of hopelessness is the first step toward recovery. In most cities or counties, telephone cri­sis counselors are available 24 hours a day to offer support and referrals for emergency treatment. Look in the Yellow Pages or call information for a hotline in your area.

Make a Plan for Getting Through

Discuss with your doctor, friends, or family exactly how you’ll be able to get through the next few days. Schedule activities that will keep you involved with family, friends, or coworkers, even if it is just a minor activity like taking a walk. Don’t be shy about asking family or friends to spend some time with you. Write out your plan on how you will spend the next few days—the more specific, the better— and keep it where you are sure to see it frequently. Some­times, knowing that you have a schedule to stick to can give you the boost that you need to get through a tough time.

Avoid Alcohol and Drugs

Suicidal thoughts and alcohol are an especially dangerous combination. Not only can alcohol or drugs worsen feel­ings of depression, they increase the chance you might act impulsively. If you are taking an antidepressant, you should be avoiding alcohol anyway. Alcohol is a depres­sant, and it can counteract the effects that the medication is trying to achieve.

Don’t Let Depression Cloud Your Thinking

When you are depressed, everything looks worse than it really is. You may feel that others would be better off with­out you, even though they tell you that isn’t so. Or you may get bogged down in a mental debate over whether life is worthwhile. Don’t let the negative thoughts win out. When you start feeling this way, try to clear your mind by going to a movie, taking a walk or calling a friend.

Preventive medicine

Even if you don’t feel urges to act on suicidal thoughts, thinking of suicide is a sign of trouble. If you find yourself thinking frequently about death or suicide, consider the following steps:

• Get treatment. The most effective prevention of sui­cide is effective treatment of depression. If you have thoughts about suicide, you should certainly consult your doctor. If you continue to have suicidal thoughts despite treatment, be sure to tell your doctor or thera­pist. A change in treatment may be necessary.
•  Structure your time. Long periods of time alone or unoccupied can give depression the opportunity to take control. Feelings of hopelessness or suicide can seem much more reasonable when you are alone than when you are busy or spending time with family or friends.

Can antidepressant medications cause suicide?

Reports of a few isolated cases have suggested the possi­bility that antidepressant medication may create or wors­en suicidal ideas. Even though these reports have received extensive media coverage, the best scientific evidence suggests otherwise.

Antidepressant medications can reduce suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts. Although it is possible that some people may have unusual or extreme reactions to certain medications, concern about suicide is an argu­ment for antidepressant treatment, not against it.