[IronDragon]

After working in Metal Health for almost 15 years, the last ten in crisis intervention, I can tell you that it is difficult if not impossible to understand the mindset of someone. Last year about 30,000 in the United States successfully committed suicide.

Suicide is often associated with mental illness but not always. Take for example a person with a terminal, painful and debilitating illness.

To get non-emergency help for someone you love (or yourself) look in the phone book under the headings: mental health, crisis intervention, depression or suicide. If all else fails call your local emergency room and ask where you can find help for depression.

If someone is actually threatening suicide, do not waste time, call the police.

Major Depression, Dysthymia and Bi-Polar Disorder (Manic-Depression) all have their root cause in a chemical imbalance. The most effective treatment options for these illnesses are medication therapy in combination with traditional talk therapy.
Situational issues, death of a loved one, divorce, loss of a job, school problems etc. can bring on symptoms very much like depression but suicidal thought are usually not associated with these traumas.

Individuals with Schizophrenia are considered to be at a higher risk of attempting suicide than individuals with Major Depression.

There is a class of mental disorder called Personality Disorders where one of the features is the individual will make suicidal threats, gestures or non-lethal attempts. These gestures are attention seeking activities. I have dealt with people who attempted suicide by taking 4 Tylenol or by ‘cutting’ themselves with a pencil.

If your having problems….get some help.
If someone you love is having problems help them get the help they need.