How to help someone or yourself if you are thinking
of suicide!
Listen. Suicidal people frequently feel no one understands them, that
they are not taken seriously, and that no one listens to them.
Accept the person’s feelings as they are. Do not try to cheer
the person up by making, positive, unrealistic statements.
Do not joke about
the situation.
Be open to talk about suicide directly. You will not be putting
ideas into the per-son’s head. It may, in fact, be dangerous
to avoid asking a person directly if s/he is feeling suicidal.
Ask them if they have developed a plan for suicide. The presence
of a well-developed plan indicates serious intent.
Remove anything dangerous from the person’s home. Anything
that might be used in a suicide attempt (e.g., gun, knife,
razor blades, sleeping
pills).
Tell a trusted adult. Do not keep it a secret. If someone
you know is considering suicide, an adult is the best person
to
handle the
situation
and offer that person help. Make No Deals to keep secret
what a suicidal person has told you.
Express your concern for the person. Explain your hope
that the person will not choose suicide but instead will
stick
it out
a little longer.
Develop a plan for help with the person.
Remind the person that depressed feelings do change over
time.
Point out that when death is chosen, it is final--it
cannot be changed.
Where to Get Help
If you cannot develop a plan and a suicide attempt is imminent, seek
outside emergency help from a hospital, mental health clinic or
call 911.
Hotlines for times of need:
The Trevor Helpline: 866.488.7386
Gryphon Place Help Line: Dial
211
Signs of SUICIDE
- A tendency toward isolation and social withdrawal
- Increasing substance abuse
- Expression of negative attitudes toward self
- Expression of hopelessness or helplessness
- Loss of interest in usual activities
- Giving away valued possessions
- Expression of a lack of future orientation: "It won't matter
soon anyway."
