Preventing Suicide | Christianity Today | A Magazine of Evangelical Conviction

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Christianity Today, April, 2009

Preventing Suicide

Fast facts about risk factors, warning signs, and tips for saving lives.

Christine A. Scheller | posted 4/24/2009 11:04AM

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The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (afsp.org) reports that suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among those 18 to 65 years old, and the third leading cause among adolescents and young adults. Because 90 percent of suicide victims suffer from a diagnosable psychiatric disorder, early recognition and treatment save lives. Risk factors include:

Psychiatric disorders
Substance abuse
Previous suicide attempts and/or a family history of suicide or mental illness
Demographics (Elderly white men have the highest suicide rate, and individuals with an artistic bent suffer disproportionately from mood disorders.)

Warning signs include:

Persistent low mood
Loss of interest in enjoyable activities
Hopelessness
Anxiety, psychic pain, and inner tension
Withdrawal
Sleep disturbances
Increased alcohol and/or drug use
Risk-taking
Talk of suicide or wanting to die
Giving away prized possessions
Sudden purchase of a firearm, poisons, or medications
Increased irritability or anger

If you suspect someone is at risk for suicide, afsp suggests you:

Ask if the person is contemplating suicide and has a plan.
Avoid using guilt or argument. Instead, express your concern with empathy, assuring the person that suicidal feelings are temporary, problems are solvable, and depression is treatable.
Encourage the person to seek professional help. Because suicidal individuals often don't believe they can be helped, they may need tangible support.
In a crisis situation, take the person to a hospital emergency room.
Do not leave the person alone.
Remove potentially lethal objects that could be used in a suicide attempt.
If necessary, call 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-talk.

Related Elsewhere:

Christianity Today has a special section on death & dying.

Other articles on suicide include:

Suicide — A Preventable Tragedy? | A ministry helps churches handle the complex issue. (July 6, 2000)

CT Classic: Suicide and the Silence of Scripture | Though the church has come to opposing conclusions about the fate of victims, we have a mandate to minister to those left behind. (July 6, 2000)

Is Suicide Unforgivable? | What is the biblical hope and comfort we can offer a suicide victim's family and friends? (July 6, 2000)

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April 2009, Vol. 53, No. 4

Comments (4)

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2-for-1 Gifts!

Christine A. Scheller

April 30, 2009 8:56pm

Thank you for your thoughtful comments. Blessings to you~

cyberlizard

April 27, 2009 6:30am

statistically according to research in the UK, more than a third of the adult population have at one time or other either attempted suicide, made plans to end their life or had fleeting suicidal thoughts. I work on a pscyh ward have have seen suicide as a professional and also within my family on three occasions. I think I am qualified to talk. the list of warning signs is (or at least can be) a red herring as they tend to typify a vast proportion of teens... moody, isolative, etc. There is no solution to suicide, the only thing that can be lessened is its likelihood and the effects afterwards. Family guilt is enormous. So for the person that thinks it is only me that is going to die and my family won't care - think again.

MHC- Mike Constantine

April 24, 2009 7:08pm

Five stars because CT actually tries to address hard issues like this, and we appreciate it. When my wife was 21, and we did not yet know each other, she contemplated suicide. Anyone would have called her a strong Christian and a caring person. Even so, she harbored deep feelings of worthlessness. Thankfully, she had a mom and dad who loved her and were alert enough to reach out to her in prayer and loving acceptance. I asked her this morning, after reading these articles, "Would you have actually done it?" "I don't know," she said. But at that very helpless, very hopeless moment years ago, she felt like she could. It was family that made the difference, especially a family that knew the power of God's love.

Patrick Gann

April 24, 2009 3:38pm

"Avoid using guilt or argument. Instead, express your concern with empathy, assuring the person that suicidal feelings are temporary, problems are solvable, and depression is treatable." -- I've heard people tell at-risk individuals that committing suicide is (quote) SO INCREDIBLY SELFISH. What irony that someone who would want to help would actually further rub in feelings of guilt. If you love anyone at all, you should take time to learn about suicide prevention. You never know when a loved one might feel the utter hopelessness that leads them to an imagined "point of no return."

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