Depression and Suicide: Understanding the Link
According to statistics, around 5% of adults around the world suffer from depression, a mental condition marked by overwhelming feelings of sadness, guilt, and hopelessness. Many who experience the common signs and symptoms of depression are able to manage their condition, often with the help of treatment and self-care techniques, specifically for depression.
However, there is one symptom of depression that needs emergency attention – thoughts of suicide. While there are many people struggling with depression who don’t have suicidal thoughts, there’s evidence showing that mental health issues are a major risk factor for suicide.
On this page, we will explore the link between depression and suicidal thoughts and what you should do if you, or someone you know, is considering such thoughts.
Remember that there is support available for anyone going through severe depression or having suicidal thoughts. It is possible to recover and have a happy and healthy life.
If you, or someone you know, is having suicidal thoughts:
- Contact your local 24-hour NHS urgent mental health helpline
- Ask for an urgent appointment with your GP
- Go directly to the nearest A&E department
What is Suicidal Depression?
Suicidal depression is not a formal clinical diagnosis; rather, it refers to someone who is struggling with major or clinical depression and is having suicidal thoughts.
In addition to contemplating suicide, sufferers will also experience many of the common signs and symptoms of depression, which include:
- Intense feelings of sadness, guilt and/or worthlessness
- Anxiety
- Loss of interest in hobbies and interests
- Fatigue
- Sleep disturbances such as insomnia or struggling to get out of bed
Warning Signs of Suicide
It can be difficult to determine when an individual is considering suicide. However, there are things you can look out for that may signify someone’s mental condition has seriously deteriorated. Vigilance is vital when monitoring for changes in a loved one’s behaviour or their state of mind.
Here are some common warning signs that indicate someone may be contemplating committing suicide:
- A notable change in their mood. They may appear calmer than before, which could indicate that they have decided to go through with their plan to commit suicide
- Being in despair or feeling extremely hopeless about their life
- Researching, talking or writing about death or suicide
- Saying goodbye to family and friends
- Completely withdrawing from social interactions
- Buying the things that can be used to commit suicide, such as a knife or pills
- High levels of anxiety or agitation
- Drinking alcohol excessively or abusing drugs
Remember that other mental health conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety or drug or alcohol use, are linked to suicide. If you see any of the signs listed above, either in yourself or someone else, get crisis support immediately.
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What Should I do if I, or Someone I Know, Feels Suicidal?
If you’re worried about someone’s mental condition, find time to speak with them and listen without being judgemental. Do your best to understand their mental state, and don’t hesitate to ask if they are contemplating suicide. When speaking to someone suffering from depression whom you are trying to help, It’s crucial to listen carefully and be compassionate towards the person.
Consider starting the conversation with reassuring and comforting statements like, “I’m here if you need me” or “This must be extremely hard.”
If you’re troubled by what they are saying or have noticed any of the above signs that indicate suicidal thoughts, you must take immediate and long-term actions to deal with the situation.
Seek urgent care
You should immediately contact emergency support facilities that are ready to help people whose mental health has deteriorated significantly. You must:
- Dial 999 or visit your nearest A&E department.
- Make an urgent appointment with your or their GP
- Contact your local 24-hour NHS urgent mental health helpline
You can also offer to accompany them to their GP or hospital appointment to give them moral support and to let them know that they don’t have to do it on their own because you’re there for them.
Have a safety plan
Preparing a suicide “safety plan” is another proactive step you can take to equip yourself for a crisis situation.
A safety plan is a set of actions to help you, or someone else, manage their suicidal thoughts and move them towards a more positive state mental and emotional state. Your safety plan can include:
- Warning signs you’ve noticed in the past that have led to a mental health crisis
- Coping strategies that the person in crisis can implement – such as breathing exercises or resources to help calm them down
- The contact details of loved ones who might be able to speak to the person in
crisis and offer support - A list of support lines or organisations
- Things you can do to lessen the likelihood of that person harming themselves,
such as removing objects in the immediate vicinity that could be used to harm themselves with
Samaritans have a suicide safety plan template that you can use to help you take immediate action if a situation calls for it in the future.
Treatment for Suicidal Depression
Major depression is a severe condition that can make life extremely overwhelming. If there are suicidal thoughts involved, it can be potentially life-threatening. To anyone suffering from this condition, know that help is available, and you can recover. There are several evidence-based treatments for depression, but you first need to speak up and reach out for help.
You can talk to your GP about available treatments or get in touch today with Priory. Our world-class mental health treatment options include the following:
Residential treatment programme
This intensive programme requires staying full-time at any of our hospitals on a residential basis. We will provide you with the best support treatment, 24/7, to help you focus on achieving lasting recovery.
What lies behind us and what lies before us are
tiny matters compared to what lies within us
Therapy
Therapy is one of the most frequently used treatments for major depression. At Priory, therapy sessions are handled by highly qualified professionals with extensive experience in helping people recover from depression. They will assist you in processing the difficulties in your life and moving past them.
Therapy sessions may be conducted one-on-one, as part of group therapy, or online in the comfort of your own home.
Medication
Medication may also be prescribed during treatment to help limit symptoms and complement your other treatments. Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most commonly used type of antidepressant for the treatment of depression.
FREE Depression Assessment
If you or a loved one are struggling with depression, there is hope and healing for you. You can receive treatment as an outpatient or inpatient and through one-on-one or support group therapy. We understand the challenges you’re facing and we’re here to offer compassionate help and support.
We design personalised treatment plans that meet an individual’s unique needs and circumstances. We will work together to address your symptoms, help you develop coping strategies and enable you to live life to the full in a healthy and positive manner.
We also have a young people’s service which provides specialist depression treatment exclusively for adolescents and young people.
Our highly trained advisers are available to speak to you right away, simply call 0808 252 3379 today.
We can discuss your concerns in complete confidence, explore the options for treatment, and help you to understand what will work best for you.
We’ll also help you to book your free depression assessment there and then, with appointments usually available within only a few days.
We understand that taking the first step can be the most difficult, but we’re here to support – with no pressure or judgement.
Professional and compassionate help is just a phone call or click away.
