| In helping a person deal with suicidal | | | | 3. Problem-solving. |
| thoughts, it is best to combine the approach | | | | |
| of treating the underlying mental disorder | | | | For cases that may not involve other |
| and treating suicidal tendencies directly. A | | | | psychological illnesses such as depression, |
| five-point suicide prevention plan, dubbed | | | | it may be helpful to take note of Shneidman's |
| SUPER, is presented below: | | | | approach in preventing suicide. Following his |
| | | | ten commandments, it becomes ultimately |
| 1. Savoring love. | | | | necessary to help the person seek a solution, |
| | | | which is outside the person's realm of |
| The social support system of the person with | | | | thinking. |
| suicidal thoughts must let the people | | | | |
| concerned know about the emotional condition | | | | As what Gerald Davidson, John Neale and Ana |
| of that suicidal person. A suicidal | | | | Kring explained in the article found in |
| individual may feel that he is alone amidst | | | | Abnormal Psychology: "Some Myths about |
| many problems that he is facing. | | | | Suicide," suicidal people do not necessarily |
| | | | want to die. Instead, they only want to |
| He may need reassurance of the love and | | | | escape the negative life events they are |
| support of his loved ones; and these people | | | | facing. Hence, an effective suicide |
| must know that they are there to help the | | | | prevention program must help the person |
| person feel the warmth, appreciation, | | | | understand that killing himself is not the |
| assistance, and encouragement that he felt he | | | | solution. Instead, the person must be taught |
| had lost. | | | | of a problem-solving mechanism through which |
| | | | he can determine various options in dealing |
| Under this step, the person and his family | | | | with the problem and assess the consequences |
| and/or social circles may organize bonding | | | | of each action that he takes. It may consist |
| activities, such as eating meals together. | | | | of a flowchart of things to do, with |
| Such activities will help reestablish links | | | | elaborations for each step so that he can |
| to empower the personal feeling of that | | | | take note of the fact that each decision he |
| suicidal person. Furthermore, the family or | | | | makes must really be a carefully thought |
| the social circle from which the person | | | | decision. |
| experiences alienation may undergo counseling | | | | |
| sessions that will determine communication | | | | 4. Establishing contacts. |
| gaps needed to be filled in. | | | | |
| | | | It will be wise to give the person numbers of |
| 2. Uncovering underlying causes. | | | | suicide service centers such as 24-hour |
| | | | hotlines of psychological therapy clinics |
| It must be understood that suicide may only | | | | that he can get in touch with whenever he |
| be the so-called tip of the iceberg. Thus, it | | | | feels very down or depressed. |
| is extremely important to determine the | | | | |
| underlying causes for the person's suicidal | | | | 5. Rediscovering the joy of living. |
| thoughts. For example, the person may be | | | | |
| suffering from treatable mental disorders | | | | Suicidal persons may have forgotten the joy |
| such as depression, schizophrenia, substance | | | | of living that they would most certainly miss |
| abuse, or borderline personality disorder. If | | | | if they choose to die. Therefore, |
| such is the case, you must help the person | | | | "rediscovery" trips will be effective in |
| avail of services from duly authorized | | | | making them realize that committing suicide |
| therapists or physicians who will be able to | | | | will deprive them of so many wonders of the |
| give immediate relief to counter the | | | | world, especially those activities that the |
| suffering of that person. | | | | person are very interested in. |
| | | | |