WAYS TO PREVENT SUICIDE — Inspiring And Empowering Ladies

September is Suicide Prevention Month. I have the privilege of working in the mental health sector as a Registered Nurse and I’ve had the pleasure of speaking with individuals who were suicidal and were brought to the facility in the midst of a crisis, as well as individuals who attempted to commit suicide and were unsuccessful. I have been blessed to be in the right place at the right time to help people who were in a deep and dark place. It’s funny because I would have never thought I would work in the mental health sector. We plan but God decides.

Photo Credit: **Thought Catalog** from **Pexels**

One particular day I was at work, on what seemed to be a regular day. I was busy, but I enjoy being busy because it helps the time go by faster. I had completed my assessments (including suicidal ideations, homicidal ideations, hallucinations, depression, anxiety etc.) and was entering them into the computer directly outside of one of the intake rooms when I heard some peculiar moaning that grabbed my attention. I responded to the sound of the noise and found an individual with a plastic bag over their head.

I immediately sprang into action. I attempted to remove the individual’s hands from the bag, but was met with resistance. I had to think quickly and the next thought that came to mind was to poke my fingernail into the plastic bag so that’s exactly what I did. Once I did that the threat was removed as the individual could no longer suffocate themselves. My heart was beating so fast. I couldn’t even begin to imagine someone killing themselves, that’s burdensome enough, but I don’t want anyone killing themselves on my watch. I couldn’t have that on my conscious. I completed an incident report and the individual was placed on a 1013 status, which is an involuntary hold for further evaluation in the state of Georgia.

Photo Credit: Jeff Trierweiler on Unsplash

I know you may be thinking why didn’t they have protocols in place in the event that someone did try to attempt suicide. We did have safety protocols in place, which included but were not limited to: removing belts, shoe strings, no plastic bags given to individual only paper bags, and every 15 minute checks etc. The reason the individual had the plastic bag is because they were feeling nauseous and we were out of emesis bags. One of the Behavioral Health Technicians gave the individual the bag improvising.

Read below for ways to prevent suicide on both sides of the spectrum.

Some advice for those who may be experiencing suicidal ideations are:

Tell someone
If you don’t have anyone you feel comfortable reaching out to contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255
Use positive coping statements such as:
-This will pass.
-I will get through this.
Distract yourself with things that make you happy.
Use a journal to write out your feelings.
Use a gratitude journal to write down what you’re grateful for.
Draw your feelings out.
Create a collage board of your feelings.
Be kind to yourself. (tea, facial, hot cocoa, bubble bath etc.)
Seek support in counseling, therapy, inpatient/outpatient treatment, ACT services etc.

Some advice for those interacting with those who may be experiencing suicidal ideations are:

Watch out for signs direct and indirect.
-Giving away things.
-Statements such as: “I wish I wasn’t here.” and “When I’m gone things will be better etc.”
-Saying goodbye.
-Speaking of death/self harming behaviors.
-Changes in their personality and or behaviors: sleeping patterns, eating habits, school and/or job performance.
-Participation in risky or self destructive behaviors.
Be a safe space/person for them.
Suicidal ideations can occur in both young and old individuals.
Validate and encourage them instead of belittling and berating them.
Look for resources to help support.
Don’t keep it a secret. If you see or hear something that seems off say something!
Don’t be afraid to ask the tough questions:
-Are you having thoughts of harming self?
-Why are you having these thoughts?
-Do you have a plan in place to carry out these thoughts?
-Do you feel burdensome?
Listen to your intuition
Send that text or make that phone call if someone is on your mind.
Make time for your friends or family when you can, especially if they are consistently asking to talk with you or see you because it may be a cry for help.
Gift them with “A Positive Thought Journal” Click here to purchase.
Gift them with a “Gratitude Journal” Click here to purchase.
Gift them with a book discussing someone who has overcome adversity that they may be able to relate to.
Be a listening ear.
Make them feel as if they belong.
Offer helpful and effective support (picking up kids, dropping off a meal, treating them to dinner etc.).
Ask them if you can help them with anything.

Dominique M. Williams is a well-being advocate for girls and women. Advocating in various capacities (Certified Life Coach, Empowerment Speaker, Author, and Editor In Chief for the She Wins Society Blog) with a servant's heart She is the CEO of Inspiring and Empowering Ladies an organization dedicated to inspiring, empowering, and equipping girls and women to develop a greater sense of self. Without a clear vision about yourself and your life, you will not be able to take ownership or accountability. Dominique enjoys being a mom of two beautiful children, reading, writing, traveling the globe, shopping, listening to music, cooking, and being in the company of loved ones. To learn more about Dominique click here.