How to Spot Warning Signs of Suicide

The death of Gary Speed left the football world baffled and devastated yesterday.

The 42-year-old Welsh national manager was found hanged by his wife Louise, according to the Times, just after 7am in the garage of their £1.5million mansion. The couple have two teenage sons.

Only hours earlier, he had appeared happy and optimistic on BBC1’s Football Focus programme.

He talked enthusiastically about his team’s improving fortunes and his hopes for success in World Cup qualifying matches next year.

Speed began his career at Leeds United and was part of the side that won the old First Division title in 1992.

 

 

I had a poster of Gary Speed as a child. How does a man who seemingly has everything reach the point of giving up on life and how come no one saw the signs?

 

Baffled and Devastated. Those words describe the emotions which go through relatives and friends of victims of suicide.

 

It is hard to know if a person is thinking about committing suicide. But you can look for warning signs and events that may make suicide more likely.

• Have tried to commit suicide before, or have had a family member who has tried to commit or who committed suicide.
• Have had or have mental health problems such as severe anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or depression.
• Have been through family violence, including physical or sexual abuse.
• Drink a lot of alcohol or use drugs.
• Are veterans or are members of the armed services.

Events that may put people at greater risk for suicide include:

• Changes in life such as the death of a partner or good friend, retirement, divorce, or problems with money.
• The diagnosis of a serious physical illness, such as cancer or heart disease, or a new physical disability.
• Severe and long-lasting pain.
• Loss of independence or not being able to get around without help.
• Living alone or not having friends or social contacts.

Adults who are at risk may show these warning signs of suicide. They may:

• Plan to or say they want to hurt or kill themselves or someone else.
• Talk, write, read, or draw about death, including writing suicide notes and talking about items that can cause physical harm, such as pills, guns, or knives.
• Say they have no hope, they feel trapped, or there is no point in "going on."
• Buy guns or bullets, stockpile medicines, or take other action to prepare for a suicide attempt. They may have a new interest in guns or other weapons.
• Drink more alcohol or use drugs, including prescription medicines.
• No longer want to see people and want to be alone a lot.
• No longer take care of themselves or follow medical advice.
• Give away their things and/or hurry to complete a will.

The warning signs in children, teens, and young adults may be different. They include running away from home or doing risky or dangerous things, such as drunk driving.

 If a suicide threat seems real, with a specific plan and the means at hand:

• Call , a suicide hotline, or the police.
• Stay with the person, or ask someone you trust to stay with the person, until the crisis has passed.
• Encourage the person to seek professional help.
• Don't argue with the person ("It's not as bad as you think") or challenge the person ("You're not the type to commit suicide").
• Tell the person that you don't want him or her to die. Talk about the situation as openly as possible.

You can take steps to prevent a suicide attempt. Be willing to listen, and help the person find help. Don't be afraid to ask "What is the matter?" or bring up the subject of suicide. There is no evidence that talking about suicide leads to suicidal thinking or suicide.
Remove all firearms from the home, or lock firearms and bullets up in different places. Get rid of any prescription and nonprescription medicines that are not being used.

Reference: BBC News, EmedicineHealth