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HOW AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION EXPLAINS SUICIDE DEPRESSION! (2369 hits)


For Immediate Release From American Foundation For Suicide Prevention!

"Understanding Suicidal Depression"


If you experience persistent feelings of hopelessness, sadness, and helplessness, you’re not alone.

Millions of people in the United States live with depression. In fact, the National Institute of Mental Health reports that over 17 million adults experienced a major depressive episode in the previous year.

While many people learn to manage daily life with symptoms of depression, there is one that requires immediate attention — suicidal ideation. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Trusted Source (CDC), suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States.

Major depression is a significant risk factor for suicide according to a Trusted Source.
However, not everyone with depression has thoughts of suicide.

If you’re experiencing depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts, it’s important to get help. With the right interventions, depression is treatable, and suicide is preventable.

If suicidal thoughts are surfacing Call a crisis hotline, such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255.

Text HOME to the Crisis Textline at 741741.

If you feel you’re at immediate risk, reach out to a trusted friend, family member, or healthcare professional. Consider calling 911 or your local emergency number if you can’t get in touch with them.

What is suicidal depression?

Suicidal depression isn’t a clinical diagnosis, but it’s a term you may see. Instead, most mental health professionals refer to it as “depression with suicidal thoughts.”

Clinical depression, or major depressive disorder (MDD), is a mood disorder. While there is not an exact cause for depression, Doreen Marshall, PhD, VP of Mission Engagement at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (ASFP), says it can be linked to a combination of factors such as physical brain structure, brain chemistry, hormones, or genetics.

When someone has clinical depression with suicidal ideation as a symptom, Marshall says it means that they are experiencing suicidal thoughts as part of their overall health symptoms. “However, it’s important to remember the vast majority of people who are depressed do not go on to die by suicide,” she explains.

Other symptoms of major depressive disorder or clinical depression include:

lack of interest in usual activities
changes in sleep and appetite (either increases or decreases)
feelings of hopelessness
feelings of sadness
feelings of restlessness
difficulty concentrating, thinking, or making decisions

“We should be mindful that thoughts of suicide can also occur outside the context of clinical depression and can occur with other mental health conditions, such as anxiety, post-traumatic stress, or substance use disorders,” she adds.

“It can be hard to know when someone may be thinking about suicide, so we encourage others to notice changes in behavior, thoughts, or mood that could indicate the presence of a worsening mental health condition,” she says.

However, she also says not to be afraid to ask someone if they have been having thoughts of suicide, especially if they are experiencing significant life stressors. Listen to the person without judgment and offer to stay with them until professional help arrives.

If you are concerned about what you are noticing or become aware that you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, Marshall says it’s important to reach out to a mental health professional for support and further help.

Where to find support

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, you’re not alone. Here are some helplines and resources for support.

Call a crisis hotline, such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration National Helpline at 800-662-4357.

Text HOME to the Crisis Textline at 741741.

The Trevor Project provides crisis support for LGBTQIA+ individuals. Call their hotline at 866-488-7386 or text START to 678-678.

If you’re at immediate risk: Reach out to a trusted friend, family member, or healthcare professional. Consider calling 911 or your local emergency number if you can’t get in touch with them.


What are the signs of suicide?

While not an exhaustive list, some of the more common signs that you or someone you know may be contemplating suicide include:

making statements about feeling helpless, hopeless, and worthless
large changes in mood
talking about wanting to die
expressing no reason to go on living
withdrawing from friends, family, and social interactions
writing about death
giving away personal items
participating in excessive alcohol or drug use
aggressive behavior
buying a weapon or collecting and saving pills
saying goodbye to friends, family, and loved ones
increase in anxious or agitated behavior
If someone you know is considering suicide
If you are worried about someone considering suicide, safety planning can help.

Encourage them to create a list of people they can contact for support. Crisis hotlines such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration National Helpline at 800-662-4357 can be go-to options.

Ask them, “Are you considering suicide?” and listen without judgment.
If they are expressing immediate thoughts of suicide or self-harm, do not leave them alone. Text HOME to the Crisis Textline at 741741 to communicate with a trained crisis counselor or call 911.

Try to remove any weapons, medications, or other potentially harmful objects.
Stay with them until a medical professional arrives or offer to take them to the emergency room for an evaluation.

If they are alone and you can’t get to them, call 911 or a local emergency number.
Posted By: agnes levine
Tuesday, March 9th 2021 at 2:53PM
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