What Is Suicidal Ideation?
It refers to a person’s thoughts and plans about taking their own life. These thoughts can range from a fleeting notion to detailed plans for self-harm or suicide. While it’s not the same as attempting suicide, it is a significant risk factor and a red flag for serious emotional distress. People struggling with suicidal ideation often feel overwhelmed by their feelings and may believe that death is the only escape from their pain.
Signs and Symptoms of Suicidal Ideation
Signs and symptoms that someone may be struggling with thoughts of suicide may present as physical, emotional, or behavioral and can manifest subtly or overtly. It is crucial to remain vigilant and sensitive to these signs if you suspect someone is having suicidal thoughts.
Common signs and symptoms of suicidal ideation may include:
– Mentioning Death or Dying: When someone talks about wanting to die, feeling life is not worth living, or having thoughts of self-harm.
– Feelings of Hopelessness or Worthlessness: Expressing a sense of purposelessness or worthlessness, believing their situation is impossible to overcome, and there is no hope for improvement.
– Withdrawing from Social Interactions: Isolation, avoiding social activities, and cutting off contact with loved ones.
– Heightened Irritability or Anxiety: Increased irritability, restlessness, or nervousness. This may be accompanied by physical symptoms like trouble sleeping or changes in appetite.
– Extreme Mood Changes: Suicidal thoughts often coincide with dramatic mood swings, swinging between intense sadness, anger, or numbness.
– Giving Away Possessions: Giving away personal belongings or making plans for them after death can be a sign of having suicidal thoughts.
– Engaging in Risky Behavior: Behaviors such as substance abuse, dangerous driving, and engaging in unsafe activities can indicate underlying mental distress.
– Sudden Calmness or Withdrawal: A change in behavior from intense struggle to sudden calmness or peacefulness can be a red flag
Causes of Suicidal Ideation
Suicidal ideation does not have a singular cause. Suicidal ideation often results from a combination of factors, such as:
- Depression: Depression is one of the most common underlying conditions associated with suicidal ideation. Individuals with major depressive disorder may feel hopeless, empty, and a burden to others, which can lead to thoughts of suicide.
- Anxiety Disorders: Chronic anxiety or panic disorders can cause overwhelming stress and fear, making life seem unbearable and leading to suicidal thoughts.
- Bipolar Disorder: Individuals with bipolar disorder experience extreme mood swings, including depressive episodes that can trigger suicidal ideation.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Survivors of trauma often struggle with feelings of hopelessness and intense emotional pain, which may cause suicidal thoughts as a way to cope with their trauma.
- Loss of a Loved One: Grieving the death of a family member, friend, or romantic partner can cause intense emotional pain, leading to thoughts of suicide.
- Relationship Breakups: The end of a significant relationship can leave someone feeling rejected, alone, or unworthy, leading to suicidal ideation.
- Financial Problems: Severe financial stress, such as mounting debt or the loss of a job, can make someone feel trapped and hopeless.
- Substance Abuse: Substance abuse is a significant factor in suicidal ideation. Drugs and alcohol can lower inhibitions, intensify feelings of depression or anxiety, and impair judgment.
Suicide Statistics in Ohio
Suicide is not an isolated issue—it affects millions of people worldwide and is a serious public health issue in Ohio. According to the Ohio Department of Health, Ohio’s suicide deaths increased 8% in 2021 after a two-year decline. According to their report, five Ohio residents die by suicide every day and one youth dies every 34 hours. Other key 2021 suicide statistics for Ohio include the following:
- Suicide was the second leading cause of death among adults 10-24 years old and the 12th leading cause of death in the state overall
- Adults aged 25-44 had the highest suicide rate, which increased 13% from the previous year
- White non-Hispanic males and females had the greatest increase in the rate of suicide, which stood at 7%.
- Among males, those 75 years and older had the highest rate of suicide.
- Among females, those 45-54 years of age had the highest number and rate of suicide.
The rise in suicide rates in Ohio reflects broader mental health challenges, including issues related to substance abuse, economic hardship, and access to care. Communities in Ohio are seeing an increasing need for mental health services, particularly for vulnerable populations.
Compassionate Support and Behavioral Health Treatment in Ohio
If you or a loved one is struggling with thoughts of suicide, know that you are not alone. At the Hickory Network behavioral health center in Ohio, our multidisciplinary team of medical doctors, psychologists, therapists, and clinicians provides expert care for each patient’s individual needs. We are dedicated to providing compassionate support and personalized care, and ensuring that every individual has access to the best possible support and treatment. Our behavioral health team works with you, and walks alongside you, helping you find hope, healing, and a path forward. Learn more about Hickory Network and the programs we offer, contact a member of our team online, or call us at 800-668-0336.