How does someone who is living with the sheer panic and desperation of constantly trying to get through each day, because of their debt problems, stop the thoughts of their contemplating suicide?
As mention in my article http://debts-challenge.blogspot.com/2008/03/fear-and-worry-of-being-in-debt.html, these are the thoughts of many people who are living daily with the stress and worry of mounting debts and knowing that they cannot even afford their every day living expenses. Every second, their thoughts are of how they can get out of debt.
As a result of this constant stress and anxiety, they may not be eating or sleeping properly. The consequence of this will be their inability to work at their normal productive level and also to make good judgements. Without realising it, they will have slipped into a severe state of depression.
In this state, not only will they become pessimistic, but they will also become obsessive over their debt problems. Everything will look hopeless and they will eventually reach a point when they will not be able to see a light at the end of the tunnel. They will start to see suicide as their only way out.
Once a person reaches this point it is imperative that they be taken seriously.
If you know someone who is threatening suicide for whatever reason, get them to seek professional help right away. Go with them for support and encouragement, if you can. At the very least direct them to The Samaritans. Talk to them. Give them your time.
Going back to the original question of this article, the way to stop people considering suicide as an option to eliminating debts, is to help them put their debt problems into perspective.
- Spend time talking to them positively about their debts solutions. Contact a debt agency and make an appointment for them. Help them prepare for this appointment. You can do this by following the tips listed here.
- Encourage them to list all their achievements up until this point in their lives. This will help to reinforce their capability of dealing with their debt problems by way of reminding them of what they have successfully achieved in the past and putting their debt problems into perspective.
- Show them that you care by telling them what you like about them as a person. Their confidence will be at their lowest, so truthful but genuine compliments can only help to restore this.
- Enlist their family for more support. Some family members, who know nothing about the stress this person is going through, may well be in a position to and also, want to, help.
- Encourage them to make an appointment to see their doctor and go with them for moral support. Just the small act of driving them there and waiting for them while they are in their meeting, will help, not only them but also you. You will have knowledge that you have done everything in your power to help this person at a time of great need.
Music is another way of motivating and uplifting a person ...
