Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States with almost 50,000 people taking their own lives every year. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 12 million adults over the age of 18 reported having serious thoughts of suicide and over 1.4 million adults actually attempted suicide in 2019. These statistics are impossible to ignore and show that while suicide might not be a major topic of discussion, it should be taken seriously.
Oftentimes, people who have suicidal thoughts or tendencies display a wide variety of warning signs. These signs may be hard to catch or identify but if they are left ignored the result could be devastating. If you know someone who is displaying any of these warning signs or if you have a suspicion, they are considering ending their own lives, it’s important you take action to help.
Showing signs of depression
Globally, more than 264 million people of all ages suffer from depression making it one of the most common illnesses worldwide. While depression is extremely common, the way it manifests in people can vary dramatically depending on a number of factors. Some people are affected seasonally when the weather changes and the hours of sunlight in a day are shorter while for others it can be long-lasting and extremely severe.
One of the most common signs of depression is when someone has a lack of interest in hobbies, activities, or events that they used to find pleasurable. Lack of interest and enjoyment can happen either over time or suddenly and should be taken seriously as extreme cases of depression are known to lead to suicide.
Discussing suicide or feeling hopeless
Surprisingly enough, many people who are contemplating taking their own lives have discussed it at one time or another. Pay close attention if a person talks about killing themselves, feeling hopeless, having no reason to live, feeling trapped, or being a burden to others, as this could be a sign that there are considering suicide and these words should be taken seriously.
Becoming reclusive
Some people are naturally more extroverted than others so when they start to isolate themselves intentionally and reduce their interaction with other people, this could be a sign something is going on. If someone is feeling miserable or lost, it may be a natural reaction to detach and pull away from others, and if you happen to notice a friend, family member, or loved one doing this, there may be an issue.
Giving away personal items
For those at the end of their lives like terminally ill people and the elderly, it’s common to give away prized possessions. While it’s common to give away things during spells of spring cleaning or when moving, it is not common to do so when these are valuable items or when the person is healthy and not going through a major life change like moving.
Help in Louisiana
At Xtreme Cleaners, we have decades of experience handling biohazard cleanup situations with the utmost care and respect. We understand how to handle sensitive situations, which is why we provide immediate assistance with discretion and care. If someone you know is having a difficult time with extreme hoarding or needs help cleaning up after a traumatic incident in the state of Louisiana, give us a call at 800-524-9591.
