Photo by Truth Dukes

Suicide affects people of all ages, statuses and backgrounds. September is Suicide Prevention Month. The primary purpose of this month lies in remembering those who have lost their lives to suicide, and encourage those battling suicidal thoughts to seek help. 

Suicide: the 10th leading cause of death in the United States today. It can be challenging to grasp what leads someone to take an action so fatal, but there are many factors that guide people into the decision of taking their own life.

A lot of key components can cause an individual to take their life, one being withdrawal. 

Withdrawal, the process of taking back or removing oneself from a situation, goes much deeper than simply isolating for a couple days or taking a break from the pressure society weighs on you. Signs of someone withdrawing include, but are not limited to, lack of interest, giving away important items and falling behind academically.

While these signs are important, this is not the only way to identify that someone may be emotionally unwell. Some people carry on as if nothing is weighing them down. Although this behavior may make identifying someone with suicidal ideations more difficult, it doesn’t make it impossible. It’s never easy for suicidal people to open up about their internal battle, but people have the opportunity to save a life by simply checking in on the people around them.

The first step to take in aiding a person with suicidal thoughts and tendencies is to educate yourself: Take time to research, learn the facts and understand the importance of caring for the people around you. Although this might seem simple, knowing what’s going on can prove to someone that someone else cares, and perhaps could save a life.

Another method that can help someone understand someone battling suicidal thoughts is to ask them about what they’re feeling. Often times, people tend to shy away from the topic of suicide since it’s such a deep subject, but at the end of the day, remaining silent will do nothing but continue the cycle. Checking in on the people you love gives you the opportunity to save, or turn-around, their life. 

While you spend time caring for those around you, make sure you take time to care for your personal well-being. If you find yourself feeling hopeless, don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance. Help is always available, and it’s never too late to ask someone to guide you through the thoughts you may be experiencing.

The generality of death by suicide is incredibly un-nerving, but by educating yourself and the people around you, you have the opportunity be the guiding light that can pull someone out of their darkness. Even if the internal suffering seems too overwhelming to bear, in a life where the world is changing, adapting and shifting daily, there is always hope for a greater tomorrow.