As a researcher, I was employed to study suicides in my home town. I became quite passionate about trying to help keep people alive using the data from the deceased people. My aim was to turn the deaths into something useful to prevent further suicides. That way the torment felt by those individuals would not be in vain. From all I read, I could not really understand what these people actually felt or experienced. I then came across something that offers a description of what people go through and I realized that this is something useful that people can use to empower themselves to stop the dangerous and tragic downwards trajectory.
My new book is now available to buy.
CLICK HERE for more information
This guide is a short explanation of the six stages of suicide with practical activities to help you prepare and assist your mind in the event it becomes irrational and unsafe.
Roy Baumeister, a social psychologist described these stages that people experience prior to carrying out suicidal acts.
Included is a mind-monitoring tool to assist you in identifying if your mind is displaying signs of reacting within the various six stages. This tool provides actions you can do to support your mind. A link to a printable PDF of the tool is included.
At the end of this guide, you can find a list of help crisis hotlines for various countries.
My original article is independently described as a:
‘Very good report, written in a humanistic way. The observed stages of suicide are of serious scientific interest, i.e. can help in preventive terms’.
The more you understand how your thoughts and emotions respond in irrational ways the more you can transform your actions beyond the influence of an unhelpful mind to that of a supportive mind and live freely and fully.
CLICK HERE for tips on How To Optimise Your Mind and CLICK HERE for Free Printable tools
Reference: Baumeister R. F. (1990). Suicide as escape from self. Psychological Review, 97(1), 90-113
Review:
“Stages of Suicide is an excellent insight into the though patterns of those dealing with suicide. Each stage very well describes the kind of thoughts, behaviours and emotions one feels as their condition continues, which I found extremely accurate and relatable. As for someone who has experienced these stages second hand, this is an incredible tool that can help non-suicidal people understand what it is like to be suicidal which I believe is one of the most important things for dealing with suicide on the larger scale.
After each stage there is a ‘prepare your mind’ section which works as a helping hand/’what to do about this’ counterpart of the stage. I found this to be really useful in not only making the content a lot less daunting and overwhelming to take in, but the reader is reminded that regardless of what stage you find yourself or someone close to you in there is always a solution to help you get out of it, which is exactly how this book approaches the terror of suicidal ideation.
Moreover, the mind monitoring tool at the end seems incredibly useful to help the user understand their own thoughts and emotions as they go through stages as well as help to generate some rational thinking patterns.
Overall this is an extremely insightful and practical helping hand for those dealing with suicide. Definitely recommend this to anyone who are either going through it or know someone who is, this book can help!”
–Rhys Jones
If you or anyone you know needs help you can call:
Australia
Lifeline on 13 11 14
Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800
MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978 or 02 6287 2226
Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467
Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36
Headspace on 1800 650 890
United States America
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (TALK) or go to SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for a list of additional resources.
Phone: 202-237-2280
International Suicide Hotlines
(Outside of the United States)
Please click on your country below:
Paupua New Guinea Suicide Hotlines
Russian Federation Suicide Hotlines
Trinidad and Tobago Suicide Hotlines
United Kingdom Suicide Hotlines
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Great article Myf. One of the best articles I have read about depression was about expectations. EG The child of an addict promising never to be like that…or the great house, job etc. Expectation as apposed to reality maybe worlds apart, and then begins the Internalisation…and so on as you very well explained. Great Info Myf. xxoo
Yes that expectation vrs reality discrepancy can be chronic or acute but the excellent thing about it is it is a perception that can altered.
Glad you like it Julie. Yes the expectation verses reality discrepancy I think can be at a chronic level or acute. The excellent thing about it is that it is a perception and perceptions can be altered in a way to support a clear mind. Xo
Myffy,
I think that this is another great article especially as depression is experienced by so many in this day and age,either by people are too busy to keep an eye open for friends or they are are going through a similar crisis themselves and haven’t any idear where to seek advice and help.
Look forward to the next blog.
Thanks Ruth, they are good points you make there. Yes it’s probably not easy for some people who are depressed to even recognise another experiencing the same thing.