Triggers of Suicide
A high-profile national figure committed suicide this morning leaving the nation in shock! The question of the hour is: "Why did he do it?" Nobody knows exactly what the triggers are for this particular case, but in general, people decide to take their own lives because of the following:
(1) fear; (2) depression; (3) believing that circumstances will not change; (4) guilt; (5) bullying; (6) rejection; (7) abandonment; (8) feeling helpless or hopeless; (9) financial problems; (10) dishonor; (11) betrayal; (12) feeling worthless; (13) psychosis; (14) feeling isolated: (15) cowardice; (16) terminal illness; (17) loneliness; (18) feeling misunderstood; (19) low self-esteem; (20) traumatic emotional loss; (21) humiliation; (22) death of a loved one; (23) frustration; (24) failure to meet the expectations of others; (25) influence of alcohol or drug abuse; (26) physical or verbal abuse; (27) wanting to take revenge on those who hurt them and (28) intense desire to end the pain once and for all
With these triggers in mind, let us help those who are contemplating suicide by doing the following:
(1) Listen to them as they pour out their problems.
(2) Avoid nagging or making judgmental statements.
(3) Show your care and concern through words and actions.
(4) Remind them of their strengths and encourage them to use these to help others.
(5) Empathize! Put yourself in their shoes.
(6) Help them seek professional help if needed.
(7) For extreme cases, form a support group that will go on a 24-hour suicide watch.
(8) Make sure that they are not left alone bearing something that can be used in commiting suicide.
(9) Pray that they would surrender their lives to God and trust Him to provide all their needs.
Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. (Philippians 4:6)