By MARILYN C. ARAYATA
DON’T rejoice when a loved one gives away a prized possession. For all you know, parting with a prized possession is among the warning signs of suicide. Consider the person’s situation. He may be going through a period of severe stress and hopelessness. Does he have a painful and traumatic experience such as a loss or abuse of some kind? Is he suffering from a lingering disease? Has this person lost a sense of purpose in life?
Experts have noted negative self-talk and an increased dependence on alcohol and drugs among suicide victims. The other red flags include withdrawal from family and friends, uncontrolled anger, accessing weapons, ropes, and chemicals, engaging in risky activities, and talking/writing/drawing about death. Knowing these warning signs of suicide might help save a life.
What the public knows about other people is but a fraction of an inch, but it’s hard to believe that friends and relatives of people who chose to end their lives never noticed anything strange months, weeks, and days before the actual death. There must have been warning signs.
Check on your loved ones. Listen to them and observe them, especially if you know that they are going through something. Don’t be fooled. Some people are great at pretending that they are okay because they do not want to be a burden. Let loved ones know you are there for them. No matter how they feel, a little bit of caring might bring a spark of hope.
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