Suicidal Ideation begins with depression and changes in behavior. Noticing behavioral changes in the lives of our loved ones could be the thin line between life and death.
Many people experiencing thoughts of suicide are not always willing to share their feelings, but there are subtle signals people close to them can identify.
“In terms of prevention, it’s being aware well ahead of the game and paying attention to the mood and emotions of the people who are closest to you,” Dr. Alan Podawiltz, Chairman of Behavioral Health said. “It’s not something that I can walk down the street and go, ‘those three people over there are suicidal.’ I can’t. There’s no mind reading in this. It really is that close relationship.”
Taking the time to speak with your loved ones when you notice changes in their daily routine or attitudes can make a difference. Those empathetic and heartfelt conversations can help them open up about their feelings.
“You can ask, ‘How did your day go?, What was the best thing that happened today?, If you had one thing that you wish you could do over again today, what would it be?,’ ” Dr. Podawiltz said. “What you're doing is you're beginning to break the ice and have a conversation with another person. If you speak to them that way, they're going to begin to share with either their voice, tone, volume, or body posture. They're going to be able to see what kind of emotion they have behind their person at that time.”
Suicidal Ideation is not bound to a certain group of people.
“It goes across all age groups, ethnicities, politics, and financial status. Persons who commit suicide can come from any place,” Dr. Podawiltz said. “Now, there are certain age groups that have a higher incidence of it.”
Dr. Podawiltz said that suicide is the number two killer of children between the ages of 10 and 14 and people in their early 20s to 30s, so building awareness in our community is beneficial.
“If you’re suicidal, you go to the hospital. This is not something somebody can talk you out of, so we have to get to you before suicide,” Dr. Podawiltz said. “You have to treat the depression behind that. You have to treat the fears behind that thinking for that person to actually heal.”