Like everyone else, I watched "13 Reasons Why" on Netflix. For those of you who have not heard of it or have and have no idea what it is about, the show follows the lives of Hannah Baker and the thirteen reasons why she committed suicide. This is a very important television series at this point in society. There are so many signs and reasons that teenagers in particular commit suicide that people tend to miss. It is so easy to ridicule and torment someone else online. You can't see the other person's reactions to the horrible things you are saying to them. It is important to be aware of the signs of someone that is suicidal or even depressed, even if someone isn't necessarily suicidal while they are depressed. Here are 13 signs of someone who is suicidal:
1. Always Talking, Thinking, Writing etc. About Death
This is one fairly easy sign to pick up on when it comes to suicide. You can listen closer to someone who might be in danger and are able to pick up on what they are talking about. This way you can stop someone from making a mistake that they can't fix.
2. Losing Interest In Things One Used To Care About
Someone may stop watching their favorite television show, stop going to sports, club meetings. Once this happens it can be pretty clear that something is wrong, take a watch with friends or family members that this might happen to. While it may seem insignificant now, you never know what a person is really thinking.
3. Visiting Or Calling To Say Goodbye To People
While it may seem like an ordinary thing to do, but if it becomes quite frequent and very sentimental in a way, this may come as a warning sign that something is not right.
4. Making Comments About Feeling Hopeless, Worthless, Helpless etc.
Listening to someone who is very down about everything and feels like there is "no light at the end of the tunnel" may be a red flag for someone who is suicidal. Someone who has given up all hope in their life and just wants everything to end could show that something is wrong.
5. Frequent Mood Swings
Someone who's mood is all over the place may show that something else is wrong, but it may also show that they are suicidal.
6. Clinical Depression
While this is a mental disorder, it can manifest into something that is technically a "permanent decision for a temporary problem". While mental disorders are not a temporary problem, there are ways to get help. Suicide can be that stem from clinical depression that never goes away.
7. Putting Things In Order (I.E Changing Their Will)
If you notice someone putting together any kind of paperwork (such as their will) or maybe even quitting their job/not going to school anymore will show that someone may be suicidal.
8. Problems Sleeping
Either sleeping too much or sleeping too little can. Especially sleeping too little can show someone cannot shut their mind off long enough to sleep fully through the night. Sleeping too much can be a sign that someone is trying to catch up on sleep from what they lost.
9. Changes In Personality/Appearance
Impulsive decisions can show that someone is at a point in their life when they are even out of control with themselves and their emotions, so they start doing things that they may necessarily not do on any regular day.
10. Feeling Guilty
While it is hard to catch someone feeling this way, someone who is constantly feeling guilty may come to a point in their life when they are tired of letting people down or feeling like a disappointment.
11. Drug Or Alcohol Abuse
People will turn to anything to get rid of this "numb" feeling that cannot seem to shake. Usually, drugs and alcohol can give you this "high" feeling and will let your mind escape from those "demons" that are chasing your thoughts.
12. Finding/Collecting Things To Commit Suicide
Someone who is very suicidal will find things to use to harm themselves. While they may not commit suicide right after they find what "tool" they want to use, it can be used as a safety net so they know that they option is always there.
13. Internet Searches/History
It is hard to check someone's internet history, especially before they have committed suicide. But if you ever get the chance, checking someone's history of their internet browser may be a good place to start and see what they are looking for.
Unfortunately, in "13 Reasons Why", Hannah Baker didn't have someone that was looking for these signs. Everyone thought she was just some sad girl that would get over her issues. There are so many ways to see if someone is either just feeling depressed or even worse, if someone is suicidal. Be a friend to someone, even if you don't know them. Flash them a smile or say hi to them and that might just be enough to stop someone from making a huge mistake.
