Know the warning signs of suicide, depression

Monday’s news about actor Robin Williams’ apparent suicide prompts me to start this week’s article with two phone numbers and a website address: 1 (800) 273-8255 is Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline; 1 (800) 273-8255 is the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, and their website www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org has a crisis button for an online chat.

If you or someone close to you is on the verge of committing suicide call 911 or go to the Emergency Department at Bonner General Health. These professionals are trained to give you the support you will need to get through the crisis and point you towards treatment for depression.

Yes, depression, a word that doesn’t begin to describe the condition. We often call melancholy depression, or the blues depression, or just when we’re really grumpy we call it depression. But, clinical depression, often called major depression, or major depressive disorder isn’t the same thing. It’s a medical condition like diabetes or thyroid disorder. And it can be treated.

WebMD tells us that more than 90 percent of people who die by suicide have clinical depression or another diagnosable mental disorder. Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the U.S. They also say that often those who commit suicide also have a substance abuse problem. All very much discussed this week regarding Robin Williams.

The question is what are the indicators that we or our loved one is at risk? The Idaho Suicide Prevention Organization lists the emotional indicators as a feeling of hopelessness, helplessness and worthlessness; feeling panic or anxiety, feelings of guilt or shame. Moodiness, irritability constant anger are risk factors.

If you’re crying and feeling persistently sad or empty followed by a sudden euphoria or happy mood you might be at risk.

Pay attention to behavioral warning signs. Take them seriously. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline says, “The risk of suicide is greater if a behavior is new or has increased and if it seems related to a painful event, loss, or change. If you or someone you know exhibits any of these signs, seek help as soon as possible:

• Talking about wanting to die or to kill themselves.

• Looking for a way to kill themselves, such as searching online or buying a gun.

• Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live.

• Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain.

• Talking about being a burden to others.

• Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs. Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly.n Sleeping too little or too much.

• Withdrawing or isolating themselves.

• Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge.

• Displaying extreme mood swings.

“Suicidal thoughts can seem like they will last forever — but for many, these thoughts and feelings pass. Having a plan in place that can help guide you through difficult moments can make a difference and keep you safe. Ideally, such a plan is developed jointly with your counselor or therapist.”

At www.sprc.org there is a patient safety plan template that you should keep handy if you have thoughts of suicide. It gives you the ability to focus on prevention by writing down the warning signs that a crisis may be developing; what your internal coping strategies will be; who are the people and what are the social settings that can provide a distraction.

The form also has room for names and phone numbers of friends and family members to call in an emergency and the professionals and agencies that you can contact during a crisis. The last sentence on the template designed by Barbara Stanley and Gregory K. Brown asks you to finish this sentence, “The one thing that is most important to me and worth living for is:”

If you can’t think of a good reason, please get help right away.

Kathy Hubbard is a member of Bonner General Health Foundation Advisory Committee. She can be reached at 264-4029 or kathyleehubbard@yahoo.com.