Although suicide pacts only make up one percent of suicides, anytime that a life can be spared from suicide is considered a success. Suicide typically emerges from misery and desperation and a suicide pact is no different. When a two or more decide that they must take their own lives, there are certainly deeper issues that have risen within them. A suicide pact is a verbal contract or plan in which a pair or more decide on departing together in possible hopes of crossing over to the other side simultaneously. Whether the pact includes lovers or best friends, they are a part of a covenant that may be romantic or loyal in nature with catastrophic end results.
Most of the suicide pacts have been manifested from bullying or from trauma that the individuals have experienced separately but can relate to each other through their own personal torment. These individuals are making a joint decision to end their torture because they can no longer wrestle with their struggles. By contemplating the signs of suicide, you could be helpful in deciphering the indicators of a suicide pact and help to stop the inevitable.
- Communicating about death or suicide
- Writing about death or suicide
- Isolation from friends and family
- Depression
- Hopelessness
- Helplessness
- Displaying anger or rage
- Exhibited feelings of being closed in
- Dramatic mood changes
- Drug Abuse
- Alcohol Abuse
- Noticeable personality changes
- Impulsive actions
- Loss of interest in activities
- Changes in sleeping patterns
- Changes in dietary habits
- Loss of interest in normal activities
- Poor performance at work
- Poor performance at school
- Gifting prized possessions
- Preparation of a will
- Provoked by guilt or shame
- Risky behaviors
Regardless if you think that a suicide pact is a joke, a game, or only made up for a Lifetime movie, the persons that are involved in the suicide pact should be taken seriously. Suicide is the third leading cause of death for people between the ages of 10 to 24. This statistic results in over 4500 deaths per year in the United States as well as 157,000 wounds that have been self-inflicted in the attempt of suicide. Worldwide the fourth leading cause of death is from self-inflicted wounds which is an alarming number from something that could be prevented by being knowledgeable about the signs of suicide.
Although most loved ones think that suicide will not happen to them or is taboo to talk about, it can transpire with anyone who has enough pain in their life and think that they have no way to cope. You can make a difference in someone’s life by being conscious of the signs and being kind to someone who perceives that their life is worthless.
If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention hotline at: 1-800-273-8255
Text 741-741 from anywhere in the USA, anytime, about any type of crisis
