How to Save a Life

{ February 14, 2008 @ 6:06 pm } · { serious }


09.02.07 {depression hurts}
Originally uploaded by brookenovak

Saving a life is dangerous work.  It is critical that we are aware of some things…

Yellow Flags

These are symptoms, not necessarily a diagnoses. 

  • avoidance issues (i.e. friends, activities, school, social events).
  • obsessing about the problem (this sounds normal, but it can lead to letting the problem has too much power.
  • anger or crying that “freaks” your friends out (i.e. unexpected outbursts)
  • unable to sleep; chronic exhaustion, excessive irritatability with your siblings, parents and even friends.
  • unable to eat; not able to keep food down (i.e. vomiting).
  • avoiding your thoughts (can’t deal with being alone in silence)  
  • odd personality changes (abrupt and extreme changes in behavior).  

  

Red Flags

These symptoms are much more seroius.  

  • Thinking about killing themselves.
  • Talking about killing themselves (this is to be taken as with the utmost seriousness).
  • Preparing for death – giving away prized possessions, making a will, writing farewell letters, gathering pills, or saying good-bye.
  • Talking like there is no hope.
  • Acting or talking like not a single person cares; completely giving up on themselves and others.

    • White Flags

    This is where you surrender to your need to personally save someone.

    Choose whom you are loyal to.  Are you more loyal to loving them or wanting them to like you.  Love cares less about whether someone is  mad at or even hates you.  Love the person more than you want them to like you even if it means “breaking a confidence”.  GET THEM HELP. 

    In Your Face Truth.  If someone was trying to kill your friend and you promised you would keep it a secret, what is that?  Isn’t it more like you to do whatever it takes to pretect your friend from a stalker with murder on his heart. 

    Severe depression is more like a stalker with murder in his heart.   The biggest mistake of your life may be keepng a secret that may kill a friend. 

    Wisdom is knowing what you do not know.  In other words, be smart enough to know that when it comes to depression and/or suicide you are in over your head.  

    Don’t try to call their bluff. It may not be one. Reinforce the fact that you care about them and insist they get help.

     Resource
     

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