Suicide Prevention and Divorce

    You and your spouse have separated and are considering divorce, and you feel hopeless and have withdrawn from your family and friends. You are divorced and can't seem to get through the emotional trauma of what's happened to your relationship, and you feel like there's no purpose to life. Or do you know someone who has said they feel this way and you're worried about them? If so, there is help available immediately.

THE WARNING SIGNS OF SUICIDE?
According to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, there are a number of warning signs that a person may be thinking about committing suicide. Here are some of them:
1. Treatening to kill oneself or talking about wanting to commit suicide.
2. Looking for ways to commit suicide by trying to obtain a gun, stockpile pills or other weapons.
3. Feeling hopeless or sad or having no purpose or meaning to life and no reason to live. 
4. Feeling anxious, agitated, unable to sleep or trapped.
4. Feeling rage, uncontrolled angry or wanting revenge.
5. Acting reckless or engaging in risky behavior.
6. Increased alcohol or drug use or dramatic mood changes.
7. Withdrawing from friends and family.

HELP IS AVAILABLE
But there is help available if you are experiencing these signs or you know someone who is. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides a free, confidential, 24-hour, toll-free suicide prevention service. You can call yourself or call for someone you think may need assistance and talk to someone who can help you immediately. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline has 120 crisis centers across the United States and can find referrals to mental health services in your community. 

YOU SHOULD CALL IMMEDIATELY IF:
1. Feel sad or hopeless.
2. You feel you may be a danger to yourself.
3. You are in crisis and need someone to talk with.
4. You know someone who is a danger or in crisis.
5. You know someone in crisis.

YOU THINK SOMEONE IS IN CRISIS, WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?
1. Ask them if they are having suicidal thoughts.
2. Check to see if they may have a plan.
3. Check to see if they have a means.

LIFELINE ALSO CAN OFFER ASSISTANCE IN THESE AREAS:
1. Suicide information and help.
2. Mental health needs after a disaster.
3. Substance abuse and addiction.
4. Information about mental illness.
5. Relationship problems.
6. Abuse and violence.
7. Economic issues.
8. Lonliness
9. Family issues.
10. Physical problems.
11. Homelessness.
12. Sexual orientation issues.
13. Verbal or physical abuse.
14. Homelessness.

FOR IMMEDIATE HELP
In English, 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
En español, 1-888-628-9454. 
For veterans, 1-800-273-TALK (8255) and press "1" to reach the VA hotline.

ON THE WEB
For more information, please visit: suicidepreventionlifeline.org
Lifeline also has profile pages on MySpace.com and Help.Com.

SOURCE: All information is from the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.