SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH: WHAT TO KNOW The severity of suicide and suicidal thoughts affects people around the world each day, so it is necessary to understand what you can do to help yourself or a loved one if they are suffering. Panorama hopes to give its readers the specific tips and resources needed to help a person combat suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
KIRAN VARADACHARI health & sports staff
HOW TO HELP
Matt O’Connor, Adolescent Therapist at LOGOS Therapeutic School, discusses tips and techniques for how to help someone suffering
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Q: What are some of the strategies that you use to help a teenager suffering from depression or suicidal thoughts? A: “You want to try to understand sort of what perpetuates the feelings and understand kind of what’s the source of that around, so you want to ask direct, open-ended questions.” Q: In what ways is it more challenging to help people through an online platform and how have you adapted? A: “It’s just harder to use relationships and connections to help buffer those negative feelings, so people have to work much harder to connect on a human level and interact with each other.” Q: What are the best ways for a person to reach out to someone without crossing emotional boundaries? A: “There are always risks involved in reaching out, but if you can be open and willing to help, you could really help someone just by letting them know that you support them.” Q: How important is it to reach out to someone if you know that they are depressed or feeling suicdal? A: “Connectivity and human interactions are extremely powerful. Even if one is nervous about getting involved, if they think about it, they could save a life with their presence.”
RESOURCES
Places you can reach out to for yourself or struggling loved one National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1 (800) 273-8255: The lifeline offers around-the-clock, confidential support for any person.
247 Youth Connection Helpline (314) 628-2929: A local contact for immediate assistance at any time of day.
The Trevor Project 1 (866) 488-7386: Provides young people in the LGBTQ+ community around the country with valuable resources, including a crisis hotline for anyone feeling suicidal or in need of a safe place to talk.
The Latest Kate @thelatestkate: Instagram account dedicated to promoting messages about self-confidence and self-care.
SIGNS OF SOMEONE STRUGGLING A closer look into common warning signs of suicidal behavior The person talks about feeling empty, hopeless or having no way out of their problems.
The person often discusses the idea that people or the world would be better off without them.
The person’s sleeping patterns change to the point where they do not want to get out of bed.
The person begins to socially isolate themselves more and close doors to the outside world.
Sources: Child Trends, The Mayo Clinic, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Patient.Org, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, Rethink Mental Illness, Bridge to Recovery
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HEALTH & SPORTS
SPREAD DESIGN BY KIRAN VARADACHARI | KATIE HOLLAND
