Symptoms, frequency and at-risk groups

Suicide is only the final step in a long and complex process, which culminates in the death of someone who, for a reason or another, has decided to end their life.  Various factors come into play in this process, including adverse social situations or unforeseen setbacks in the individual’s life, loss, chronic stress, angry-impulsive personality traits, excessive consumption of drugs and alcohol and, last but not least, depression and/or acute anxiety.

Several international studies and one Icelandic study have shown that genetic factors may increase the risk of suicide. Although what is passed down is not exactly known, a family history or patterns of depression, alcohol abuse or personality disorders can be significant.  That being said, it is clear that the vast majority of people who take their own life have previously struggled with depression and sometimes with other mental illnesses.

A tragedy

Suicide can sometimes project an aura of mystery or even provoke outrage. This is often seen when famous people commit suicide. It cannot be ignored however that suicide is always a tragedy, bringing disastrous consequences for all relations of the person who falls victim to it, be they family, friends, colleagues, classmates or others.

It follows that there will be a serious impact on the mental health of dozens of people connected to a person who commits suicide.

Most people will only be affected temporarily, but some of them will need professional counseling or specialized treatment to get back on track.

Survivors are left with feelings of pain, bewilderment, numbness, denial, intense grief and anger, and often blame themselves or other people. Their self-esteem is shattered and they are plagued with unanswered questions. They feel guilty and tend to isolate themselves. The pain can be difficult to work through, and some people never get over it. It is therefore very important to take good care of survivors. The same is true when someone attempts suicide but does not succeed. The consequences are often the same, though not as dire, and it is important to work through them.

It is hard to predict who is at risk of suicide, and we know that suicide can occur in any and all families.  The results of several international studies allow us to distinguish specific groups among which the risk is greater:

• People struggling with serious mental illness, particularly depression and schizophrenia.

• Those who have previously attempted suicide are likelier than others to try and take their own life.

• Young men, especially those who have not managed to find their place in society, or have become outsiders.

• Young men and women struggling with addiction.

• Single men, especially if they are unemployed or struggle with alcoholism.

• LGBTQ youth.

• Prisoners, particularly in the early stages of their incarceration.

• Women of menopausal age present a higher risk than younger women.

• Seniors, i.e. people aged 85 years or over.

In addition to those who suffer from depression, it seems that people struggling with severe addiction are more at-risk than others, as well as people who have experienced major changes in their social situation, for example loss, unemployment or social isolation. Those who have previously tried to take their own life are more likely to make another attempt and more likely to succeed.

Recognizing the first symptoms and their escalation

We can sometimes detect early warning symptoms of a suicide attempt. Thoughts of death can be quite common on their own, but they should be taken seriously if they become prevalent. Those thoughts can turn into passive, and then active suicidal ideation. When suicidal thoughts become so overwhelming that they become omnipresent, there is real danger.

Suicide planning, as well as direct or indirect talk about death, should always be taken very seriously. When someone says they are unimportant to others, that they are “just there”, or that other people are better off without them, it is important to follow it up. Changes in behavior, such as when someone starts giving away their possessions, shows indifference to their usual interests, engages in risky behavior or increases their consumption of drugs or alcohol, can be signs of a serious crisis.

It is crucial to ask the person in question about how they are feeling and, if necessary, to talk to them about ways to find help if talking is not enough on its own. Professionals such as general practitioners, psychiatrists, psychiatric outpatient clinics, priests or even the Red Cross Helpline 1717 can come to the rescue.

If someone close to you is at risk of committing suicide, it is critical to act as soon as possible. It is often difficult to overcome the fear of upsetting the person in question. The fact is, however, that most people are relieved to be able to talk about their most difficult feelings with friends or relatives. an introduction that is short, sweet, and to the point.