Robin Williams passed away yesterday and the speculation is that he committed suicide. If true, we will never know what motivated him to take such a final step. We’ll never know whether it was accidental or intentional.
But, what we do know for certain is that suicide prevention is something we can all play a role in.
After losing a loved one it is normal to feel sad, angry, guilty, worried, or numb. It’s also common to want to cry, to have problems sleeping, or to want to be alone for a while.***
But, when it gets to the point where your depression is too hard to handle on your own or you’re having suicidal thoughts, it’s important to know that you can reach out for help.
Here are some signs, according to Suicide Prevention Hotline, that may be red flags that you or someone you know is at risk for suicide:
- Talking about want to die or to kill themselves
- Looking for a way to kill themselves
- Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
- Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
- Talking about being a burden to others
- Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
- Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly
- Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
- Displaying extreme mood swings
You can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or you can go to your local emergency room. If you are under 18 and are having thoughts of suicide a hospital will admit you even if your parent isn’t present at the moment.
If you think your friend is at risk of suicide, ask for help by speaking to an adult.
***These are just some , not all, of the feelings or common behaviors you can experience after a loss.
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