Find the Words

  • Have resources on hand.
  • Familiarize yourself with signs of suicide.
  • Mentioning the signs of suicide indicates concern and makes it hard for a person to deny it.
  • Ask direct questions, “Are you thinking about suicide?

Listen, express concern, reassure

  • 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.

Create a safety plan

  • 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 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 at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
  • Stay with the person or take them to the Emergency room if a suicide attempt seems imminent.

Get help

  • 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 regard to diet, exercise, and sleep.
  • Remove all potential means of suicide, such as pills, knives, razors, firearms.

What not to say

  • 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.