Seeking Help When Depression Becomes Life-Threatening

The pain and hopelessness of depression can be fatal. Never ignore or dismiss talk or threats of suicide. About 80% of the time, people who commit suicide have given out definite signals or talked about it to someone.

If a friend or loved one talks about ending their pain by committing suicide, take them seriously. The best thing you can do is get them (and escort them if necessary) to someone who can help them, specifically someone who is trained in handling people who are suicidal. Sources of immediate help include:

Emergency Response Network (911)
Emergency Room
Suicide Hotline/Suicide Prevention Specialists (SuicideHotlines.com)

Other sources of help include:
Family physician
Mental Health Professional/Counselor
Pastor

It’s better to be proactive in suicide prevention, to err on the side of caution and risk a friend or loved one’s anger, than it is to attend a funeral. According to the American Federation For the Prevention of Suicide (AFPS), suicide is the third-leading cause of death among Americans between the ages of 15 and 24, and it’s the second-leading cause of death — behind only traffic accidents — among college students. 

Copyright © 2005 by Dave Dravecky’s Outreach of Hope Sources: Psycom.net/Suicide and Suicide Prevention