3. Drug Use and Excessive Alcohol Use
Some agitated and anxious people turn to drugs and alcohol for relief—potential warning signs for suicide. You might not be an alcoholic or a drug abuser, but if you take things to make yourself feel better or to numb you, that makes you more vulnerable because it impairs your judgment and makes your thinking not as clear.
Substance use can also contribute to impulsivity. Studies have shown that up to 80% of all suicide attempts are done on the spur of the moment, with very little planning.
4. Buying a Firearm
One of the loudest and clearest warning signs is buying a gun. Access to a firearm in the home significantly increases the risk of a suicide—by up to 10 times, according to a 2008 article in the New England Journal of Medicine. Guns account for less than 10% of all suicide attempts, but those involving guns are far more likely to be fatal.
Two to one, men complete suicide more often than women. It’s largely because of the method they choose, not because of the intent that they have. Men tend to use firearms; women tend to take overdoses.
Whatever the situation, don’t leave that person alone. Let them know you’re going to get help and/or call 1-800-273-TALK.
Visit the BlackDoctor.org Mental Health center for more articles.