Dealing With Thoughts of Suicide

Occasionally we hear about celebrities who choose to take their own lives. If those who have “fame and fortune” find life impossible to take, what about those who live lives that are seemingly “usual and ordinary”?

Struggling with Life

Every day, there are people around us who struggle with life. It is not always easy to recognize when that struggle is close to being fatal, especially when it doesn’t seem obvious. If the person does not seem down or depressed, they must be okay, right?

It is hard to see through the masks that others put up to hide their thoughts and it is scary to put a voice to those thoughts. That makes it harder to see when a friend or family member may be close to the decision to end their life.

Feelings of Hopelessness

The feelings that can lead a person to that choice include hopelessness and the belief that if they continue living they will be a burden to those around them. 

If someone you know has ever talked about feeling that way, there is reason to be concerned. More importantly, if they have talked that way one day and the next day they don’t seem to have a care in the world, please take notice. This could be a sign they have decided to die and are at peace with the decision.

What You Can Do

In my professional opinion, I suggest:

Be present. 
Ask the hard questions. 
Make others aware. 
Point out the unexpected change. 
Try to not be afraid of offending them. 
Remind them of those who care.

When Suicide Happens

It is important to remember that no matter what you do, your friend or family member may choose to end their life anyway. You did not cause it. 

There is Help

Whether it is a friend, family member, or perhaps if you have thoughts of suicide, there is help.  

Your employer has made Best Care Employee Assistance Program available to you and your dependent family members at no charge. All services are completely confidential and you have the opportunity to speak with a licensed counselor any time of day or night. 

To schedule your confidential appointment, fill out the counseling registration form. If you have issues with the form, please call (402) 354-8000 or (800) 801-4182 and we'll be glad to help. 

Resources like Best Care EAP are very important. But perhaps just as important are the friends and families of those who are considering suicide. Don’t ignore sudden changes in behavior, whether negative or positive. Be available at inconvenient times. Demonstrate care without conditions. Most of all, just be there.

NOTE: For emergency/crisis situations, call the 988 Lifeline for 24/7 access to free, confidential support for people in distress.