Depression, Suicide, and Suicide Prevention

 

Tere is a strong and well-documented relationship between depression and suicide — but it’s not a simple cause-and-effect. Depression increases the risk of suicide, especially when it’s moderate to severe, but not everyone with depression becomes suicidal.

🧠 How Depression and Suicide Are Connected

• Depression distorts thinking: It can make people feel hopeless, helpless, and worthless — as if their pain will never end.
• Suicide may seem like a solution: In deep depression, people may believe that ending their life is the only way to escape emotional suffering.
• Isolation intensifies risk: Depression often leads to withdrawal from others, which removes protective factors like social support.
• Co-occurring issues matter: Substance abuse, trauma, and chronic illness can compound depression and increase suicide risk.

About 60% of people who die by suicide have a mood disorder like depression or bipolar disorder.

🚨 Warning Signs to Watch For

• Talking about wanting to die or feeling like a burden
• Giving away possessions or saying goodbye
• Sudden mood improvement after a long depression
• Withdrawing from friends and activities
• Increased use of alcohol or drugs
• Risk-taking behavior or self-harm

🛡️ How Suicide Can Be Prevented

• Take all signs seriously: If someone talks about suicide, don’t dismiss it. Ask directly and listen without judgment.
• Remove access to means: Keep firearms, medications, and other lethal tools out of reach.
• Connect to professional help: Therapy, medication, and crisis support can make a life-saving difference.
• Build a support network: Friends, family, and peer groups can help someone feel less alone.
• Use crisis resources: In the U.S., call or text 988 for free, 24/7 support from trained counselors.

💬 If You’re Worried About Someone

• Ask: “Are you thinking about hurting yourself?”
• Stay with them or make sure they’re not alone.
• Help them contact a mental health provider or crisis line.
• Don’t promise secrecy — safety comes first.

Depression is treatable. Suicide is preventable. And even in the darkest moments, connection and care can save lives.

post inspired by Depression Anonymous by Dennis Ortman, which recently reached #79 on Amazon in emotional self-help.

Book Description:

When you feel depressed, suffering from a deep sadness, do you feel powerless over your mood? Does your life feel unmanageable because of it? Does your preoccupation with past hurts and regrets interfere with your life? Do you feel hopeless about finding a cure for your depression? If you answer "yes" to these questions, you may be addicted to your mood. It acts like a drug that sedates, numbs, and possesses you, causing you to sleepwalk through life.

Viewing your depressed mood as an addiction, Dr. Ortman guides you through the time-tested Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous to find healing and growth. He shows how the Steps offer practical wisdom to awaken your spirit deadened by your depression. The Steps provide guidance for your personal journey into the darkness of your mood so that you can discover your true self and release the Power within you.

Comment from President and Founder, Psychological Counseling Services Ltd

Dr. Dennis Ortman does an incredible job with his books. He does an excellent job of using the 12 Steps to provide practical guidance for the millions of people who have problems where anger, depression, or anxiety rise to the top in terms of "the presenting problem" in their lives when they come for therapy. His books provide very useful tools to deal with getting to a better place and having a life that functions better, including more serenity.

Ralph H. Earle, PHD, ABPP, MDiv, LMFT, CSAT
President and Founder
Psychological Counseling Services, Ltd (PCS)
Scottsdale, AZ

THIS BOOK WAS SELECTED AS A FINALIST FOR
BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD

(FOREWORD REVIEWS)

For more posts about Dennis and his books, click HERE.

For more information about this book, click HERE.

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