Suicides of famous people are often in the news and raise questions about depression and suicide. Our world is rocked when someone we know admits they are depressed, has thoughts of suicide, or, more devastatingly, takes their life.
How could this happen?
- Did they think about what this would do to their family and friends?
- Who else could be at risk of an unexpected suicide?
These questions are understandable – after all, we often want all the facts when digesting hard truths. Our stake in the game is a consideration for our own friends and family who battle with depression and thoughts of suicide. What do we have for them?
Sure, a general social media post of “reach out to a friend if you feel sad” or “feel free to talk to me if you need anything” might sound nice, but really it tends to isolate people who are depressed and considering suicide. This sentiment tends to be received by many sufferers as a subtle relational barrier. This can actually make it difficult to reach out for help from that person. So, if we are truly wanting to help, we must try a different strategy.
Three Things You Can Do to Help
- Talk about your own thoughts and feelings of depression and suicide more regularly. To be human is to have these feelings – it is incredibly normal to feel both of these on occasion. The more you slip these healthy normal feelings ever so slightly into your conversations, the more people will naturally want to come to you about their exact same thoughts and feelings. This helps others realize the closeness and safety of the relationship (make sure you feel that on your end as well). Sometimes this feeling can be for a limited time, like with postpartum depression.
- Remember your own limitations. On the flip side, remember your own limitations here. You can clear the path of hurdles, but those suffering still have to run the race. The ball is in their court to speak up and to seek those who are truly most able to help. You have opened this door for them to come in, but other options can be chosen – not all of them are good. We can only be so helpful.
- Finally, remember that many of us are unaware of the presence of depression and suicidal ideations.
No one is beyond the reach of these. No amount of fame or family or success stops these from slowly darkening your life. Remember that those who seem most likely and those who seem least likely are one and the same.
To learn more about suicide awareness and prevention, the warning signs, and how you can help, please read this article.
We’re here to help, so reach out if you or someone you know may be struggling with thoughts of suicide.