Mental health is a state of well-being in which the individual realises his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully and is able to make a contribution to his or her own community. (World Health Organisation)

 The definition of ‘mental ill health’ or ‘mental health problems’ covers a very wide spectrum, from the worries and grief we all experience as part of everyday life to the bleakest, suicidal depression or complete loss of touch with everyday reality.

There are many issues that impact on our mental health including our physical health, our social situation, work and life stressors, our living environment and/or genetic factors. This makes us all at risk of developing a mental health problem at any time during our lives. The most important thing to realise about mental health problems is that the majority of people who experience them do recover or learn to manage their mental health problem and still lead meaningful and fulfilling lives.

Today, I want to talk about suicide. In particular, I want to focus on warning signs that serve as a potential red flag that there is an impending crisis. 

Suicide does not always begin with self-destructive threats and gestures. It begins with feelings of isolation, hopelessness, sleep disturbance, inability to cope, and other symptoms relating to change, loss or impulse control. 

So let’s look at the warning signs:

  1. A general feeling that things are not going well. A pervasive negative outlook. They feel that life is not worth living and they cannot manage day-to-day activities.
  2. A belief that they lack control over their life. The tendency to blame other people or situations for how they feel. As a result of not dealing with what they are experiencing there is a tendency toward decompensation.
  3. Taking the position that they are doing fine and do not need the help of other people, resources or medication.
  4. Focus on negatives. The person focuses on this view rather than the positive view of things, which increases feelings of hopelessness.
  5. Impulsive behaviours. The person begins to make rash decisions and participates in risk-taking behaviour. Decisions are often made under stress and without thinking through choices and consequences.
  6. Isolation and withdrawal continues. The person makes up excuses and Avoid’s socialising and utilising other resources.
  7. Physical symptoms start to appear such as appetite disturbance, sleep disturbance, fatigue and headaches etc.
  8. The person feels that nothing will ever improve, that everything is a mess, and that life is not worth living.
  9. The person is often confused and irritated. This low frustration tolerance affects all areas of life.
  10. Breaking relations and associations. The person disengages from their support system. They may not feel the energy to participate or may believe that anything will make a difference.
  11. Lacks of sleep or poor sleep patterns begin to negatively impact their ability to effectively cope.
  12. Depression becomes more severe in intensity and chronic. As a result, quality of life and relationships are significantly affected. 
  13. The person expresses dissatisfaction with life, immersed in a negative perspective of everything going on around them.
  14. Having thoughts of death or a ‘death wish. They do not want to kill themselves, but they want to escape their life and see death as a state of not feeling what they are feeling.
  15. The person appears to be doing much better following a depressive episode, which gives them enough energy to attempt suicide.
  16. Feeling overwhelmed and unable to cope. Not able to adequately problem solve situations that normally would not present any difficulty.
  17. Thoughts of suicide begin, and the person starts thinking about methods of suicide.
  18. The person begins to demonstrate self-destructive patterns of behaviour.

What to do if you experience suicidal thoughts…. Tell your doctor, therapist, coach, colleagues, family members and/or friends so you can receive the appropriate support. If you are suicidal, let someone in your support system know and allow them to be there with you so your thoughts do not escalate into actions. 

Mental ill health can affect us all......