• Have resources on hand.
• Familiarize yourself with signs of suicide.
• Mentioning the signs of suicide indicates concern and makes it hard for person to deny.
• Ask direct questions, "Are you thinking about suicide?"
• Be calm, non-judgmental and calming.
• Listen as the person shares their anger, despair or other negative emotion. This is a positive sign.
• Offer hope, letting them know help is available and that his or her life is important to you.
• Ask the person what will keep them safe until they can see a professional.
• Get a verbal commitment from the person that they will not act upon thoughts of suicide.
• Evaluate if there is immediate danger.
• Determine if he or she has a plan, a means to carry out the act and a timeline.
• If immediate help is needed, call 911 or the Suicide Prevention Hotline 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
• Stay with the person or take them to the Emergency room if a suicide attempt seems imminent.
• Provide the person with a list of resources.
• Encourage an appointment with a mental health professional.
• Be aware of treatment recommendations and follow their compliance with recommendations.
• Maintain contact. Don't wait to hear from them, stay involved for the long haul.
• Encourage positive lifestyle changes in regards to diet, exercise and sleep.
• Remove all potential means of suicide, such as pills, knives, razors, firearms.
• Don't ask in a way that will result in "No" as an answer.
• Don't promise secrecy; tell them you care too much to keep this secret.
• Out of frustration or anger, do not tell the person to "do it."
• Do not use values, guilt or morals as reasons to live.