Help?

SUICIDE

Suicide is never an answer to your problems. Suicide won’t make you happy, it will just make you dead. It doesn’t end the pain it just transfers it to others.

As much as we all loved Chris, what he did was wrong. Now we all have to share Chris’ pain.

Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem

A person considering suicide doesn’t view his/her problems as temporary. Chris viewed his suicide as a permanent solution to life’s endless problems. He was in a deep dark hole with no ladder or rope and no way out. If you have a friend who you may suspect may be thinking of suicide, you need to be at the top of that hole, reaching down, offering your hand as way out.

WHAT YOU CAN DO (for someone talking of suicide)

If you encounter someone who is contemplating suicide remember these important facts:

- An encounter with a suicidal person is a deep emotional experience. Don’t be fearful of saying something inappropriate. Show the person that you care, listen, laugh, cry, support, seek help if needed, but always, always listen to their pain. That is the most important thing that you can do.

- Develop a relationship of trust. Reassure the person. Listen and allow them to tell their story without interruption. Never challenge or criticize them. Calm their emotions and help them gain self-control.

- Do not leave them alone. Stay with them or have someone else stay with them. Urge them to seek counseling.

- Help them to sort out and categorize problems instead of trying to deal with one huge looming problem.

- There is always a part of someone that wants to live. Find it and build on it. It might be a goal, ambition or a spouse, boy/girlfriend etc.

- When someone talks of suicide, this is one time when you must not remain silent. When someone confides in you that they have nothing to live for or they wish they were dead tell their parents or report it to your clergy. Please get them help.

WARNING SIGNS

Frequently there are warning signs. Suicide is often a carefully considered
act, preceded by cries for help.

- Treat every threat as serious, but also as a cry to be saved.

- If one is breaking off relationships, dropping out of activities or suddenly giving away possessions, take action.

- Sudden resolution of depression, with no apparent reason. Often the suicide decision brings relief to the person. They found a way out of their troubles.

- If the person/child obtains a weapon, this is a big time warning sign that trouble is ahead. 65% of those suicides under the age of 25 were committed with guns. In the 15-19 age group it was 81%

We were only aware of Chris’ symptoms for about one month. We know now that he showed almost all of the signs above and a few more. We never ever thought he would end his life. Statistics show that 75% of those who talk about will attempt it. Approximately 32,000 people commit suicide each year. Older persons and teens are at the highest risk.