Suicide – These Videos May Help Save a Life
Recently a friend died of suicide and it just crushed my soul. Suicide is something we often hear about in the celebrity world and it is hard to imaging it hitting close to home. When it does, the pain we feel is brutal because we often ask ourselves, “Is there something I could have done?”
The scariest part of this is that you can’t see what a person is feeling on the inside, so it isn’t always easy to know when they are struggling mentally and having suicidal thoughts. According to Healthline, here are some warning signs that may be shown on the outside that you can look for.
Warning Signs:
- talking about feeling hopeless, trapped, or alone
- saying they have no reason to go on living
- making a will or giving away personal possessions
- searching for a means of doing personal harm, such as buying a gun
- sleeping too much or too little
- eating too little or eating too much, resulting in significant weight gain or loss
- engaging in reckless behaviors, including excessive alcohol or drug use
- avoiding social interactions with others
- expressing rage or intentions to seek revenge
- showing signs of extreme anxiousness or agitation
- having dramatic mood swing
A suicide attempt is a clear indication that something is gravely wrong in a person’s life. It doesn’t matter what race, age, or how rich or poor they are. Most people who die by suicide have a mental or emotional disorder. The most common underlying disorder is depression.
One very important thing to think about if you are depressed and considering suicide is that many times if a suicide attempt fails, the person lives to say they instantly had regrets. This leaves us to wonder if someone does die by suicide, if they had an instant regret before they died.
Kevin Hines shares his story of depression and suicide. The Daily Goalcast shared his video on their Facebook page and it is heart-wrenching. His story can help those thinking about suicide and my only hope is that it gets to them in time. Hines is a suicide prevention activist and he is on a mission to spread hope.
In 2000, he jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge to end his life. The second he let go of the rail to jump, he was overcome with regret and begged God not to let him die. Watch the video and share it with anyone who is struggling with depression.
Naturally, it can be extremely frightening when someone you care about shows suicidal signs. But it’s critical to take action if you’re in a position to help. Starting a conversation to try to help save a life is a risk worth taking.
According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, taking the lives of approximately 47,000 Americans each year.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255, Available 24 hours.