by Jenny Turpin

Created on: October 17, 2009   Last Updated: October 14, 2010

Recognizing the signs of a potential suicide can be a lifesaving accomplishment. People don't usually just up one day and decide to take their lives. Most suicides are calculated and thought about for months. Sometimes years go by before the actual attempt is made. This is why being aware of the signs can be of the upmost importance. Anything that we can catch early is a lot easier to care for than catching it too late.

Being a close friend or relative to someone who is exhibiting the warning signs of suicide can be a double edged sword. On one hand, we are able to see changes in behavior and mood, but on the other hand, we are often clueless that suicide is something our close one might be considering. We can not imagine life without them and it is beyond most of our understandings as to why they would want to commit suicide. Suicide has come as a shock to many parents, husbands, and wives.

Some things that may alert us to the possibility of a suicide attempt is a loved one that may be withdrawing from us. Maybe they don't talk as much to us as they used too. Maybe they are not as interested in the things that they used to love. They might even be sleeping all the time or not wanting as much social contact as before. These are signs of depression and should be addressed the moment you notice them.

A few more things that might be warning signs of suicide is a close friend or loved one that has went through a consistently rough time and says that they hate their life. It may be just venting, but it's worth your attention. It may be a sign. If your friend or loved one says they can't deal with things anymore or they offer to give away the things that they love, it could be a sign that they are not planning on staying around.

If you think you have seen signs of suicide, it is very important to try and persuade the person you think is depressed to talk to a physician about the way that they are feeling. Help them understand that they are not alone and that there is help out there for people that are feeling the way that they do. Depression is an illness that can be treated. Counseling and/or medication have given the quality of life back to many people who have considered suicide.

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