Part I and Part II was on warning signs of suicide. The last part of this series will be on how to help a suicidal person. These are some of the ways to help in no particular order.
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Be aware
learn warning signs to understand what to look for
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Listen
Let the person suffering tell you how they are feeling
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Be ready to accept their feeling
Although you may not agree, it is important to provide support for them
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Do not be afraid to talk about suicide directly
This will not make the person more suicidal. ON the contrary, it allows a safe environment to foster what is truly causing so much pain in the person.
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Ask them if they have developed a plan of suicide
This is a way to identify risk of how suicidal the person is.
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Establish safety plan
If at all possible establish safety by removing lethal means for suicide (including firearms, knives, prescription drugs, etc).
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Try to remind the person that depressed feelings do change with time.
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Express your concern for the person and your hope that the person will not choose suicide
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Don’t dare them to do it, don’t be shocked or judgmental
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Point out when death is chosen, it is irreversible
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Develop a plan for help with the person
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If you cannot develop a plan and a suicide attempt is imminent seek outside emergency intervention at the hospital, mental health clinic or call Suicide Prevention Center.
Professional resources:
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Call National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273- TALK (8255)
Thank you for reading through the suicidal blog series. It is a difficult issue to read about, but with each reader and there will be more awareness to prevent suicide.
