Suicide Education
NAMI says it well - It can be frightening if someone you love talks about suicidal thoughts. It can be even more frightening if you find yourself thinking about dying or giving up on life. Not taking these kinds of thoughts seriously can have devastating outcomes, as suicide is a permanent solution to (often) temporary problems. On average, it takes about seven years for someone who has been struggling with their mental health to get help. Fifty percent of people with mental health issues NEVER get helped. These sobering statistics have unfortunately hit hard in our community.
Suicide is not a normal response to stress. Suicidal thoughts are actions are a sign of extreme distress and should not be ignored. Comments or thoughts about suicide - also known as suicidal ideation - can begin small like, "I wish I wasn't here" or "Nothing matters." But over time, they can become more explicit and dangerous.
When referring to suicide and suicide attempts, avoid using terms such as "committing suicide", "successful suicide", or "failed suicide" as these carry negative meanings. Instead, it is better to say "passed away by suicide", "died by suicide" or "lost their life to suicide".
Suicide is not a normal response to stress. Suicidal thoughts are actions are a sign of extreme distress and should not be ignored. Comments or thoughts about suicide - also known as suicidal ideation - can begin small like, "I wish I wasn't here" or "Nothing matters." But over time, they can become more explicit and dangerous.
When referring to suicide and suicide attempts, avoid using terms such as "committing suicide", "successful suicide", or "failed suicide" as these carry negative meanings. Instead, it is better to say "passed away by suicide", "died by suicide" or "lost their life to suicide".
Resources:
Books and Journals:
If you are supporting someone after their loved one died from suicide, Glacial Lakes SAFE has a library of resources available.
If you are supporting someone after their loved one died from suicide, Glacial Lakes SAFE has a library of resources available.
