By Tyler Hall/reporter
Preventing youth suicide starts with a question, a SE counselor said during a workshop about youth suicide on NE Campus.
Highlighting the facts associated with the second-leading cause of death among young adults, Michele Faith said preventing youth suicide starts with the ability to ask, “Have you thought about committing suicide?”
The problem with that question lies in the awkwardness of asking loved ones or strangers if they have thought about suicide, Faith said.
To ease uncomfortable situations, one should watch for potential warning signs. If someone makes suicidal threats or constantly finds ways to talk about suicide, they are at risk of going through with it, Faith said.
A common myth, she said, is that people who talk about suicide are just trying to get attention. The reality of this myth is if someone is talking about suicide, that person needs help.
“Always take talks of suicide seriously,” she said.
The second warning sign is when a person’s behavior changes, and this warning sign should never be overlooked, Faith said. When behaviors change, people may become distant from family members and friends, she said. The person may become depressed or irritable.
“Always take note when a person loses interest in their favorite activities,” she said.
Faith said these signs might mean a person is considering suicide.
When it comes to young adults, risk factors associated with suicide range from low self-esteem to a family history of suicide.
The largest risk factor is bullying, Faith said. In this technological world, bullying doesn’t stop when a child leaves school. With websites like Facebook and Twitter, Faith said the bullying could follow children home, haunting them 24-7. Once a post is published on the Internet, it cannot be retracted.
If people think they know someone considering suicide, they need to reach out and help, Faith said. Several resources are available. TCC students can talk to counselors and find other outlets if they need long-term assistance.
Campus counseling centers have copies of a book of Tarrant County community resources, which contains information and services for people struggling with depression.
Many people won’t seek the help they need because they are embarrassed or afraid of people finding out, Faith said.
“Don’t assume you can handle the situation on your own,” she said.
Some problems are larger than they appear on the surface and, if left untreated, can escalate all the way to suicide, Faith said.
If people feel that they or a loved one is about to commit suicide, they should seek help immediately by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or in an emergency by calling 911.
“Remember, preventing suicide starts with a simple question,” she said.