- Suicidal behavior is the culmination of a process that begins with suicidal ideation.
- There are certain factors that influence when committing suicide and that can increase the probability that the person will do it.
- Below we establish a series of recommendations to act and address the situation.
suicide is the act by which a person deliberately causes death generally as a consequence of psychological suffering caused by vital events or psychological disorders.
In accordance with PSYCHOGLOBAL suicidal behavior is the culmination of a process that begins with suicidal ideation. In the suicidal ideation the person begins to harbor the desire and has persistent thoughts of wanting to end his life. After the ideation, the suicide planning in which the person not only has the desire to end his life but also builds a concrete plan to carry out suicide.
Lastly, the person carries out his autolytic plan.
Which people might be at higher risk for suicide?
There are certain factors that influence when committing suicide and that can increase the probability that the person will do it:
- Having had a previous suicide attempt This is the greatest predictor of future suicidal behavior.
- History of depression or other mental disorder.
- Family history of suicide.
- History of sexual abuse in childhood.
- hopelessness we could understand this as the conviction that the person has that their current problems are insoluble and therefore they cannot get out of their situation.
- Drug and alcohol abuse.
- Impulsive or aggressive tendencies.
How to act before a person who wants to commit suicide.
If a person suspects that a loved one may be showing signs of suicidal risk, then we establish a series of recommendations to act and address the situation:
- Pay attention to signs and show calm: Assesses if the person is presenting alarm signals, if they have been immersed in a situation that they cannot manage or if they could be a high-probability person based on the factors described.
- talk to the person: Openly and honestly talk about whether you are entertaining this idea and whether you have a plan to carry it out.
- Assess the risk and decide what to do: if we presume that the risk is high, we must resort to the emergency services to seek help immediately.
- Eliminate all possible access to methods of suicide: We will remove drugs, knives, ropes and everything that the person could have within reach to carry out their plan. At this point we will also ask the person if they have any hidden objects that are part of the plan.
- Do not leave the person alone: accompany the person until such time as professional help can be obtained.
- Contact people from the environment: You may need help from other people to make decisions. Parents, siblings, partner or friends of the person who is at risk can help you manage the situation. Therefore, do not compromise with the person to keep their intentions secret.
- Contact the emergency services, they will also advise you on what actions you should take. It would also be important for you to be able to contact other organizations that help people at risk of suicide.
- stay involved: Social support is very important for people who harbor suicidal ideas. Lend your help in everyday matters and share your time and activities with the person beyond the emergency situation.