In the US...
Suicide rates are highest during spring. Let's change this!
It isn't just YOU you would affect if you committed suicide!
As the quote above states, it does affect other people than you. There are people who look out for you, even though you may not see that now, and there is love and compassion being shown towards you. Committing suicide just makes your future immediately improbable and they, despite not having been in the same situation as you at that point in time, might then consider joining you in death. You are not just affecting you.
What can you do? First off, try giving support to the person you're worried about.
No one likes feeling left out or ignored. If you see someone standing aside from the crowd, would it hurt to say hi? This might just make someone's day.
Never try to minimize the problem or shame them into making a decision. "Your opinion of a person's situation is irrelevant. Trying to convince a person suffering with a mental illness that it's not that bad, or that they have everything to live for may only increase their feelings of guilt and hopelessness" (Save.org).
Offer to work together to get help. This could potentially save a life.
Next, you could have a meaningful conversation with this person.
Finally, you should make an anonymous call to Safe to Tell even if you think the situation is minor.
You could even show them this flyer!
How do I know if they're suicidal?
- Having trouble concentrating or thinking clearly
- Giving away belongings
- Talking about going away or the need to "get my affairs in order"
- Suddenly changing behavior, especially calmness after a period of anxiety
- Losing interest in activities they used to enjoy
- Performing self-destructive behaviors, such as heavily drinking alcohol, using illegal drugs, or cutting their body
- Pulling away from friends or not wanting to go out
- Suddenly having trouble in school or work
- Talking about death or suicide, or even saying that they want to hurt themselves
- Talking about feeling hopeless or guilty
- Changing sleep or eating habits
- Arranging ways to take their own life (such as buying a gun or many pills)