Did you know that nearly 45,000 people in the United States, and more than 800,000 worldwide, die by suicide every year? You might be surprised by the high numbers, but you will be even more surprised to hear that most people who die by suicide could have been helped.
An individual who’s considering suicide usually confides in a friend or close family member, not necessarily depression counselors. That’s why you need to know what to do in case you suspect (or know) that someone close to you in Oregon has suicidal thoughts.
Find out what steps to take in case you find yourself in this situation.
Ask Questions and Offer Constant Support
There’s no use telling a person who has mental health issues that they should just get over it or that this too shall pass. In fact, they have probably read or heard all the usual epithets already.
The main thing you need to do as their support system is to ask them questions. Be there for them. Let them know that you will be there for them no matter what time of day, what they would need, or if they happen to be away from Oregon in another town, state, or country.
Don’t question their suicidal thoughts or feelings. They can’t stop suicidal thoughts at the drop of a hat. If they could, they would have done so already.
Give lots of empathy when helping a loved one who’s thinking about suicide and be direct when asking them how exactly they contemplate hurting themselves, or what kind of a plan do they have for their suicide. This will allow you to gauge the severity of their symptoms and help you decide what step to take next.
Know When to Bring in Professional Help
No matter how empathic you are or how much you care, there’s only so much you can do in suicide prevention. At some point, you will realize that this is over your head and you need to bring in professional help. Therapists or social workers who deal with mental health patients all day long will know best how to help your loved one.
Seeking help from the outside doesn’t mean that you don’t care about your loved one or that you are handing off responsibility. In fact, you will still need to be there for your friend as they go through therapy and take medication. You also need to ensure that they don’t skip out on therapy or throw away their medicine without using it.
Finally, don’t forget to take care of yourself while you go through this tumultuous process. It’s not easy being on the receiving end of so much pain.
Reach Out to Your Loved One Who Has Suicidal Thoughts in the Oregon Area
The main thing to remember when helping a loved one is that merely your empathic presence can give your loved one a great deal of comfort. However, you can’t take the entire burden upon yourself.
There comes a time when licensed and professional mental health services like those at Braden Center in Oregon need to be called upon. If you are in Illinois and need counseling services for someone with suicidal thoughts, contact Braden Center today and get started on your healing journey.