Why Does Suicide Seem Like A Solution?

When people take their lives, it’s rarely because of a single circumstance or event. For the most part, a combination of individual, interpersonal, and social factors play a role.

Suicide is often viewed as a way to relieve physical and emotional pain. Mental health issues, social isolation, a traumatic life experience, alcoholism, and drug abuse can all contribute to death by suicide.

Mental Health Factors Contributing To Suicidal Ideation

Suicide causes significant health problems, accounting for 1.4% of deaths worldwide ^[1]. Suicide rates in the United States have risen sharply over the past two decades. While the causes of suicide vary from person to person, mental illness contributes significantly to vulnerability to suicide (whether in the form of suicidal ideation or desire).

Mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder contribute significantly to feelings of hopelessness, which can lead to suicidal thoughts.

Depression

Moderately or severely depressed people usually experience suicidal thoughts. Depression is often characterized by intense sadness, emptiness, and futility. When you’re depressed, the things that used to make you happy or motivated lose all meaning, and you start to feel like you’ll never be able to get over your pain or get better. You expect the worst, think in black-and-white terms, and are quick to blame yourself. Depression is one condition that causes distorted thinking, which can skew someone’s perception of reality. As a result, the depressed person can easily see suicide as “the only way out.”

Anxiety

People with anxiety disorders are afraid of certain situations. Individuals with generalized anxiety disorder may have constant feelings of worry or tension, while those with other anxiety disorders, such as specific phobias or panic disorder, are triggered by certain circumstances. Anxiety often manifests itself physically, causing symptoms such as shortness of breath, dizziness, muscle tension, and heart palpitations. Anxiety disorders are an established risk factor for suicide attempts ^[2]. The disorder occurs when anxiety interferes with your ability to function or when you overreact or lose control of your reactions in certain situations. It’s easy to feel hopeless and give in to suicidal thoughts when you feel your future is in jeopardy and you think you can’t overcome your problems.

Bipolar Disorder

Extreme shifts in mood characterize bipolar disorder, moving from manic (elevated or irritable) episodes to depressive episodes. Studies show that 25% to 50% of patients with bipolar disorder attempt suicide at least once ^[3]. During depressive episodes, individuals experience intense sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in life. Anyone going through depression can engage in risky behaviors or make impulsive decisions, which can lead to negative consequences such as physical pain or financial problems. Negative consequences can lead to guilt or regret and cause a state of depression, making them feel hopeless.

The Role of Hopelessness in Suicidal Thoughts

Many who think they want to commit suicide are not always eager to die. They don’t want to live, but they don’t want to die; they simply want to eliminate the suffering they feel. Research has shown that hopelessness is a common variable among people who are depressed and have suicidal thoughts ^[4]. People often consider suicide because they feel hopeless and do not think there’s a way out of their current difficulties.

Hopelessness is a subtle but dangerous warning sign of suicide. It often acts as a trigger for feelings of frustration and emotional pain. When you feel hopeless, you believe that your current difficulties are insurmountable and that your situation will never improve.

People in this state may struggle to see any meaningful solutions or ways to cope with their suffering, intensifying their sense of isolation and emotional numbness. When hopelessness is left to fester, it can lead to a dangerous cycle of negative thinking, intensifying suicidal thoughts and the belief that death is the only viable option to find relief.

Coping Mechanisms and Their Limitations

Feeling hopeless and considering suicide frequently stems from a place of deep emotional pain. In a bid to find relief, some people may adopt certain coping mechanisms. These coping strategies may provide brief comfort, but over the years, they worsen the emotional ache and intensify bad thought patterns. Some examples of such coping mechanisms include:

• Avoidance and Isolation: Avoiding buddies and family and suppressing or ignoring challenging feelings
• Substance Abuse: Using substances to numb or escape pain
• Rumination and Overthinking: Constantly replaying negative thoughts and focusing on perceived flaws or mistakes
• Denial and Minimization: Denying the extent of your emotional pain and telling yourself, “Others have it worse.”
• Self-destructive Behavior: Engaging in self-injury or other dangerous activities to seek release from emotional pain

These coping techniques are essentially useless, as the remedy they provide is fleeting. Employing these coping mechanisms may prevent you from processing your feelings in a wholesome manner. You’re left with underlying issues like despair, tension, or trauma. Some coping strategies, like substance abuse, can also even cause other emotional and physical problems.

Warning Signs and Risk Factors of Suicidal Ideation

A person who’s contemplating suicide may show several warning signs that may be seen in their feelings, speech, and behavior.

The person may feel:

• Anxious or agitated
• Guilty or ashamed
• Less interested in social activities
• Rapid and severe changes in their mood
• Unbearable emotional pain

The person may talk about:

• Not being alive anymore
• Being a burden to others
• Not wanting to be helped
• Feeling empty, worthless, or hopeless

A change in their behavior may be evident. The person may:

• Neglect responsibilities
• Engage in reckless behaviors
• Give away possessions
• Withdraw from family and friends
• Research suicide methods
• Sleep or eat more or less
• Take a sudden interest in wills or life insurance
• Show a sudden sense of calm and happiness after being depressed for a long time
• Say goodbye

Societal and Cultural Influences on Suicide

Cultural influences and societal attitudes in the direction of mental health and suicidal thoughts dramatically affect someone’s willingness to seek help and interact openly. Many societies view mental health struggles and suicidal thoughts as a weakness. Some cultures label human individuals with mental health conditions as “dangerous” or “crazy.” As a result of their fear of being categorized as “weak,” many are discouraged from sharing their emotions and soliciting help.

In many cultures, men are often encouraged to suppress feelings, and looking for help may be perceived as “unmanly.” This can isolate them and worsen their mental health. On the other hand, society pressures women to prioritize the needs of others over their personal well-being. Putting others first can deter them from looking out for themselves and asking for help for mental health concerns.

Changing those attitudes—through education, promoting empathy, and normalizing mental health care—can inspire people to seek help, connect to others, and feel less alone in their struggles.

Supporting Someone with Suicidal Thoughts

What should you do if someone is showing the warning signs of suicidal ideation? Many people feel uncomfortable talking about the subject. What if you’re wrong? What if you upset the person? It can be hard to speak to a family member or friend about their suicidal thoughts. However, if you notice the warning signs in a person, it’s better to dive in and ask them how they’re feeling. The earlier they talk about it and get the help they need, the better their chances are for successfully managing such thoughts ^[1]. So, how do you help someone who is suicidal?

Get Professional Assistance

Help a person with suicidal thoughts get the assistance they need by encouraging them to seek help from mental health professionals (psychologists, counselors, psychiatrists). These specialists are trained to help individuals work through complex emotional and psychological distress. They provide a safe area for people to let out their emotions without fear of judgment. For individuals who may be ashamed or scared to open up to relatives or friends, this could be a valuable lifeline.

Mental health experts can offer effective therapeutic techniques, which include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), which have been proven to help individuals manage suicidal thoughts and emotional hurt. Encourage them to see a professional and assist them in locating a suitable treatment facility.

Offer Practical Support

Suicidal thoughts frequently pop up when you feel crushed by your problems, with no big break in sight. In times like this, having a strong support system that can offer practical help will go a long way. Whether it’s helping with everyday duties or providing monetary aid, presenting a suicidal person with support and stability can prevent them from acting on their thoughts.

Encourage Accountability

Friends, relatives, and mental health experts can assist in encouraging the discipline needed to go through with treatment plans, attend therapy sessions, and stick with self-care practices. Keep them accountable. Continue to check in on them, celebrating their small victories and big wins with them.

Create A Safety Plan

With the help of mental health professionals, you could assist the individual in creating a safety plan that outlines steps they promise to take during a crisis. The steps may include reaching out to a therapist, relatives, and suicide prevention hotlines.

Remove Lethal Objects

You can lessen the possibility of a suicidal individual acting on their thoughts by eliminating potential means of suicide. These include drugs, razors, knives, and firearms. If you notice the person is likely to take an overdose, make sure that every pill is locked away, only giving them pills when it’s essential.

Keep Supporting Them

Check on them often. Knowing a therapist, family member, or close friend checks in regularly helps people feel more secure and less likely to fall into a place of hopelessness and depression. Keep checking in on them even after the immediate suicidal crisis is over. Your help is critical in helping them to live on the right track and avoid slipping.

When to Seek Professional Help

If you’re having thoughts of taking your life, it’s vital to remember that help is available and also to get it as soon as you can. There are mental health specialists who are skilled in providing assistance for people with suicidal thoughts and underlying mental health conditions. Therapy options you can look into include psychotherapy, licensed counselors or social workers, community health centers, and online therapy.

You also can connect with support groups and community sources. There are peer-led companies like The Trevor Project (for LGBTQ+ individuals) that provide specialized help for unique groups. Many religious organizations also offer spiritual guidance and pastoral care for people struggling with suicidal thoughts. If you’re in immediate danger, please go to a hospital emergency room or call emergency services. You may want to reach out to relatives and friends, too.

What should you do if someone you know says they’re going to take their life immediately?

• Call your country’s emergency services number (911 in the U.S., 116 in the U.K.). You can visit Befriender’s Worldwide for a list of international hotlines.
• If you are with the person, take them to the emergency room.
• Remove anything they could use to possibly kill themselves, including drugs, knives, guns, alcohol, over-the-counter medications, and even loose cords and strings.

Under no circumstances should you leave the person alone. They should not be left by themselves, irrespective of their age. Staying with them could save their life. With timely and adequate support, you can help people with suicidal thoughts.