What type of statements do you consider to be suicide ideation?

Question

There are many things that we say on a daily basis that seem to be suicide ideation; "This makes me want to hang myself," etcetera. How can you tell when suicidal language correlates with suicidal intent, and is not said only flippantly? This goes especially for people with mental illnesses...

Answer 1

As a trained counselor, I can offer these suggestions for assessment of risk factors:.

Assess Intention

1. by words or actions conveying intent to harm himself or herself;
2. determine whether the person has a specific plan and the means (gun, knife, rope) to harm himself or herself;
3. consider credible information from any third party that the person has spoken of self-harm, or has a plan and means for self-harm.
* questions to ask third parties (like family members or co-workers) might be 'Does the person speak of harming himself or herself?' or 'How does the person plan to harm himself or herself, with a gun or gas or rope or knife?' Always ask whether the person has threatened or attempted self-harm in the past, or whether the person has a history of psychiatric treatments or evaluation.

Things to remember:

* 80% of suicides were preceded by an attempt. Look for clues like sleep disturbance and serious depression.
* Children of suicides often attempt suicide.
* Cries for help can be very evident or very disguised. There can be vague hints or changes in behavior (like giving away prized possessions).There are disguised forms of suicide, like anorexia and bulimia, self-mutilation and substance abuse.

Use the SAD PERSONS scale to help determine risk.

Sex (males commit most suicides)
Age (older clients)
Depression

Previous attempt
Ethanol (alcohol abuse)
Rational thinking loss
Social support system lacking (lonely and isolated)
Organized Plan
No spouse
Sickness (particularly chronic pain or terminal illness)

Human Service professionals are legally and morally bound to protect clients from harming themselves. If you are unsure of your ability to handle the situation, get help from a mentor or highly experienced individual.

Answer 2

Suicidal ideation can never be taken out of context. It is context driven. For example if someone states that they feel like dying...without the distress, without the rumination, preoccupation, etc it is just a statement. There are risk factors when evaluating suicidal concerns...demographics, a plan, means, past suicidal behavior or exposure, alcohol/drug use, social/interpersonal relationships, age,...without taking all these into consideration...sometimes it is just an expression, an expression of frustration or other emotion, or a real desperate ideation statement.

Answer 3

The most frequent ways are statements by the person that he wants to die, that he would be better off if he were dead, that his family would be better off if he were dead, and that he intends to commit suicide. But only about 2/3 of suicidal people actually make such statements. Some of these statements are expressions of hopelessness rather than suicidal intent.

As for flippant remarks about death, I'm more likely to say "just shoot me and get it overwith." Consider the situation during which the remark is made. If it's not a stressful situation (when such remarks are relatively common), the comment can be taken a bit more seriously.

Answer 4

I agree with flashypsw - there usually isn't much for warning signs before a person commits suicide (or attempts to). A good friend of mine committed suicide almost a year ago. I went shopping with her 2 days before - she was shopping for clearance Christmas decorations for next year, she didn't seem sad or upset. She seemed a little preoccupied, but that's about all. Even the actual day she did it nothing seemed weird at all about her behavior. You hear that they may talk bad about themselves, give personal items away, etc. and maybe that does happen sometimes, but she did absolutely none of that. The only thing that seemed slightly odd is that she spent time with those she was closest to within the 2 days before it. She even made plans for us to go shopping again on Friday (she died on Thursday). I think that when it really boils down to it, if someone is truly thinking of committing suicide there will probably be very little, if any, signs soon before they attempt it.
Oh, just so you know, she had a borderline personality.

Answer 5

Actually, most people who commit suicide don't really give out any clues before they die. The people who make suicidal comments are usually seeking attention. Some signs though that a person is considering suicide is a change in attitude, ex, a normally depressed person all of a sudden becomes more cheerful. Another sign is that they start giving away items of importance. My suggestion is that you look up a website on here that can give you more insight.

Answer 6

I have never considered or attempted suicide. But there was a point in my life when I deeply explored the concept of death. This was after my grandpa died. My mind was constantly trying to figure out death and that brought on many "What if...?" questions and it was insane. I can't even explain what it was like to think about those things. I was only like 11 or 12.

Answer 7

"I want you to have this treasured possession. I don't need it anymore."

"I'm going to kill myself by doing such-and-such-and-such"

"When I'm gone, I want people to do such-and-such-and such."

It really depends on what the mental illness is. A sociopath might threaten to commit suicide without ever really meaning it; but if you're looking at a severe depession, then usually just talking about thoughts of suicide, especially plans of suicide, is enough to show that the person is at a danger point. I can say that I live with suicidal feelings everyday, but I rarely tell anyone about it. Those closest to me know when I'm depressed, though, and that I'll only ask them for help if I actually need it BADLY, which is extremely rare.

Is this because you're worried about someone, or is it just a curiosity of yours?

Answer 8

There is a difference between that makes me want to hang myself and I just feel like hanging myself. The one is a statement about a thing. The other is a statement about a feeling. People feel like killing themselves.

Answer 9

Thats a Tough one.
Hey, did you know Sin is Suicidal?
Yep, sin can Take your Life.
Ask some body who Died of an Addiction to something, but they Didn't Really want to die, just couldn't stop.
More than One Way to Commit Suicide!
(just kidding about asking them, but I guess you caught it)

Answer 10

We must evaluate the context from which it is said. If someone loses everything at the slots, and they expressed their desire to hang themself, it would probably be a good idea to get that person help.

If someone is on stage giving a speech, and their pants fall down, and they express their desire to hang themself, it would probably just be a way of expressing their humiliation.