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Many people who have lost a loved one or friend to suicide have been heard to say, "If I had only known what the signs were." Suicide often telegraphs its arrival by certain types of behavior. Nothing is foolproof, but with a little diligence, you can improve the odds of heading off this catastrophic event.

The easiest sign to spot is when a person tells you that they are considering taking their own life. Never take this lightly. You should always believe someone who says this to you. It is a cry for help. The person has not made the decision to go through with the act and is reaching out for someone to give them other options. If you have no experience or training in this area, call an emergency hotline and get help.

When approaching the point where a person sees suicide as the best option for their future, there is almost always a constricting of choices in their mind. You will hear potential suicide victims express that they do not see any way out of the problems that they are experiencing. When they talk, they will center on their problems and not their alternatives. It is important to try to get the person to see multiple paths leading from where they are now. This will help them push suicide farther down the list and possibly avert it altogether.

People who are seriously considering suicide will rarely speak of the future beyond the next few hours or days. Sometimes they will mix this with conversation regarding leaving. Their destination will be vague, but their departure time will be much more defined. This will be the point at which they believe that their life on earth will end. It is good if you can get him or her to make commitments a week or month from now. This gives a reason to live and helps the person to look beyond their self-imposed limit.

Suicidal people will frequently begin to divest themselves of their treasures. Things that would never be parted with will be given to friends and family for no apparent reason. This is their way of tying up loose ends and saying goodbye. Even items like money, cars, and houses are given away. They will not be needing them, so they move them along. Refusing the gifts will not usually cause them to change their plans. However, recognizing their behavior as suicidal can give you a chance to act.

While most people who commit suicide are seriously depressed, they will not usually appear depressed at all once the decision to take their own life has been reached and finalized in their mind. This brings a sense of finality and relief. Many times a sense of euphoria will set in, and they will become exceptionally friendly and cheerful. This normally happens in the final days or hours before the act is consummated. When this activity begins, you frequently have very little time left to rescue the person. It will take much more to avert the event because their decision has been made. Medical and professional intervention is critical at this stage.

There are a number of other lesser signs of impending suicide. Some of these include hoarding pills, buying a weapon, or a sudden interest in things like poison. These can be much harder to spot and will usually accompany one or more of the previous signs.

Learn more about this author, Allen Teal.
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