Suicide is preventable. The first thing to do is recognize the signs in yourself or someone you know. The most common signs, according to Berman, include:
- Difficulties with relationships between friends, family, and others
- Feelings of isolation, or feeling unloved by others
- Feeling like you can't solve the problems you face
- Impulsive and/or aggressive behavior when faced with a problem
- Alcohol and/or drug abuse
- Severe depression and persistent pessimism
- Suicidal thoughts
If you notice a friend experiencing any of the above, "the first thing to do is offer a listening ear and support," says Berman. But, he adds, the "next thing to do is help that friend get help from someone trained to help. Talk to a trusted adult and get the friend to see a mental health professional who is respected for working with teens."
Berman adds that if a friend tells you he or she is contemplating suicide, the "worst thing to do is to keep it a secret. Comfort your friend and stay with him or her until you find competent helpers."
