• suicide

  • Suicidal behaviour

    Suicidal behaviour includes completed suicide, attempted suicide and thoughts about suicide.

    Reasons for suicidal behaviour include:

    • A recent loss or break-up of a close relationship
    • An unhappy change in circumstance at work, school, or home life
    • A painful and/or disabling physical or mental illness
    • Some degree of dependency on alcohol or drugs
    • A history of suicide in the family
    • Traumatic experiences such as physical and/or sexual abuse
    • Unwanted pregnancy
    • Alienation & rejection by peers and/family
    • Financial problems

    Look out for warning signals in the people around you – your family, friends and colleagues. And heed their cries for help.


    Physical

    • Drastic change in appetite
    • Drastic change in sleep patterns
    • Drastic change in weight
    • Fatigue or lethargy
    • Drastic change in physical appearance
    • Lack of interest in appearance
    • Poor health


    Psychological

    • Persistent depressed mood
    • Unstable emotions
    • Easily agitated & frustrated
    • Feelings of worthlessness
    • Feelings of hopelessness & helplessness
    • Difficulties in concentration & decision-making
    • Anxious & tense
    • Unrealistic expectations of self


    Behavioural

    • Social withdrawal
    • Drastic change in attitude & character
    • Giving away prized possessions
    • Self-harm behaviors
    • Noticeable increase in compulsive behaviors
    • Unexplained cries
    • Substance abuse
    • Direct or indirect suicidal threats


    Talking openly to someone about suicide does not make it more likely to happen. Suicide occurs because there is pain and a belief that no one can help, and that there is no other way out of the pain except death. Talking about it allows the pain to decrease, which provides hope and a chance for life to get better.

    If someone you know is contemplating suicide, take the initiative and ask him directly, "Are you thinking about killing or harming yourself?" and "How are you going to kill yourself?" This will give him a chance to open up to you. You are not betraying him if you then decide to speak to another person – an adult, teacher, counsellor or his parents. You are doing so because you fear for his safety.