Experts say social isolation because of the pandemic could lead to an increase in suicides.
2 Works for You's Mike Brooks talks about thoughts of suicide and what we can all do to help others.
I was reading today about how people tend to ruminate, or think deeply about something, when they are isolated.
And without outside contact to contradict the negative thoughts, they begin to believe "Worst Case Scenarios," which can lead to suicide.
Is it just like one thing that puts someone over the edge or is it a culmination or is it basically anything?
Cathy Olberding with Counseling and Recovery Services of Oklahoma says, "It can be anything. It can be you're predisposed to depression and this is one thing, that anxiety puts you in a place where you have no alternatives in your mind and what to do with your life. It could be you were isolated before because of your age. After 55, that's the highest group of suicides is 55 and above, and those folks are already kind of on the margins, they're in their own home living alone or assisted living, they're not with their family."
It might be a huge step to actually reach out and text the number or make the call.
Cathy says, "It takes some courage. The belief that this might help. But I think that for most of us the best thing we can do is just confront it directly. To talk to the person and say I'm seeing these things with you, you seem very down, you've done some things that make me wonder if you're going to be here tomorrow, have you thought about killing yourself? It doesn't make people commit suicide, it makes them realize you have a connection, you care."
Cathy says it's very important to reach out. She suggests contacting someone you haven't heard from in a while.
And if you're the one feeling like you just can't continue with what's going on, call the people at Counseling and Recovery Services of Oklahoma, they are always there.
For help, call 918-492-2554.
Next time we talk to Cathy, we'll find out what happens when you do make that call, and what are good coping skills.
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