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Q&A: The Beacon spoke with Allison Bankston of New Beginnings Counseling and Wellness Center in DeLand to learn more about suicide and how to prevent it.
What are some of the signs a teenager might be at risk of suicide? What should a person’s family and friends look out for?
Identifying whether someone is actively suicidal can be tricky depending on the individual. One of the biggest warning signs is a sudden change in behavior. Some of these behaviors may include:
— talking about wanting to die
— talking about or looking for a way to kill oneself
— having a plan to kill oneself
— searching for ways to end one’s life
— talking about feeling hopeless
— talking about being a burden to others
— talking of feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
— alcohol and drug use, or other reckless behaviors
— withdrawing or feeling isolated (from activities, family, and/or friends)
— showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
— displaying extreme mood swings
— sleeping too much or too little
— giving away prized possessions
Suicide warning signs vary per person and are not limited to those on this list.
If someone thinks a friend of theirs is seriously considering suicide, what should they do to help?
Reach out! Assume you are the only one that has noticed something seems wrong, and talk to them. Do not wait for someone else to do it.
Talk to them privately, and check in on them. Listen to their story, and ask them directly if they are considering suicide. (Asking about suicide will not put the idea in their head if they were not already thinking about it.)
Encourage them to seek treatment, reach out to their doctor or therapist. Avoid debating the value of life, minimizing their problem or giving advice. If they refuse to reach out and seek help, and you are worried they will commit suicide, call 911.
What can family, friends and society as a whole do to help support kids who are going through a tough time before they get to the point of considering suicide?
The biggest support for kids is openly talking about mental health. Not just mental-health problems, but mental wellness, the stress of being a teenager, adjustment to life changes, day-to-day life; it’s all relevant.
By normalizing conversations about mental-health issues like anxiety, depression, adjustment issues, etc., we send the message that, one, it’s OK to talk about these things; two, a lot of people feel this way; and three, there are resources out there to help.
When we readily talk about how a person’s day is, what was good and what they struggled with, we have the ability to identify issues and find a way to address them before they become major problems and potential suicide factors.
What are some things that can help friends and family grieve a lost loved one?
When tragedy does strike, it affects the entire community. The best thing you can do is reach out to someone whom you know is grieving. If they want to be alone at that time, they usually will not respond, and that’s OK; they will reach back out to you if and when they are ready.
Grief affects everyone differently. Some people want to be surrounded by friends and family; others need some time to themselves.
— Bankston is a state-registered mental-health-counselor intern.
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