Suicide prevention is a broad effort to identify and connect people with care when they are at risk. This includes gatekeeper training, suicide screening and teaching warning signs.
Protective factors can reduce the likelihood that someone will consider or attempt suicide, such as supportive relationships and connectedness to community. Life skills training and promoting hope and resilience can also help.
1. Recognize the Signs
If someone seems very distressed and says they are considering suicide, it is important to take this seriously. They may withdraw from social contacts or have extreme mood swings, and they may access items that can be used to harm themselves. If they have access to a firearm, it is critical to remove them immediately.
It is difficult to predict who will attempt suicide, so it is very important to pay attention to a person’s overall behavior and listen without judgment if they tell you about their feelings. See NIMH’s Infographics and Digital Shareables on Suicide Warning Signs to learn more about the signs that might indicate a need for professional help.
There is no one cause of suicide, but risk factors such as a history of depression, substance abuse, or impulsiveness increase the likelihood that a person will try to kill themselves. Protective factors such as strong social support and effective problem-solving skills can reduce risk.
2. Talk to Someone
Talking about suicide may feel awkward or uncomfortable, but it can help someone get the help they need. Don’t hesitate to talk to someone who you think is at risk, especially if they have shown other warning signs, like withdrawing from friends and family or suddenly becoming moody.
Tell them you’re concerned and ask if they’re having suicidal thoughts. Listen to their answer, without judging, and try to focus on the reasons they want to live rather than imposing your own views of life value.
Also, ask about their plan: how they would kill themselves, when they’d do it and what sort of access they have to the means to carry out the plan. Research shows that removing or limiting access to lethal means reduces suicide deaths. Also, be sure to follow up with them and stay in touch – studies show that support from others can reduce suicide. It could be as simple as leaving a message, sending a card or phoning them.
3. Get Help
If someone says they are considering suicide, don’t leave them alone. Help them get an appointment with a mental health professional as soon as possible, but also make sure they know they can call a crisis hotline or text line if the urge arises.
Talk to your loved ones about their feelings, but be careful not to use trigger words like’suicide’ or ‘death’, which can cause defensiveness. Increasing a person’s sense of connection, limiting isolation and providing them with hope that alternatives exist has been shown to reduce suicide risk.
In addition, if a person has access to lethal means of self-harm – drugs, firearms or other weapons – work with them to make their environment safer, Marshall says. This may include helping them safely store medications, removing weapons from their home or locking up hazardous chemicals. It might also involve a safety plan that includes sources of support, reasons to live, self-soothing activities and safe people they can reach out to.
4. Stay in Touch
Whether or not you are personally at risk of suicide, it is important to stay in touch with people who are. You might be able to connect them with other resources, or you may simply offer empathy and support.
You can also help keep them safe by helping to limit their access to lethal objects and places. This can include locking up medications, putting away chemicals such as pesticides and other household poisons, and removing any potential suicide methods such as firearms.
Avoid arguing about their feelings or telling them how they should feel. It’s hard to hear the voices of someone who is at risk and rational arguments are likely to make them defensive. Instead, try to be direct and helpful in what you can do for them. If they are in a crisis, take them to the hospital emergency department if possible. If you can’t get them there, try to get them to call 911 or a suicide hotline.