There are many ways to prevent suicide. These include reducing access to lethal means (e.g., by distributing gun safety locks, changing medication packaging, or placing barriers on bridges) and providing mental health treatment.
Responsible media coverage should not sensationalize statistics on suicide or how someone died.
Gatekeepers, such as teachers and military commanders, can be trained to recognize warning signs and make a referral. An ongoing, caring follow-up network can also reduce suicide rates.
Talk to a Friend
Suicidal feelings can be very painful and overwhelming. People who are having suicidal thoughts need to know that they’re not alone and that help is available. It is important to listen and to respond with reassurance, respect, and support. It is not helpful to try to cheer the person up or tell them to “get over it.” This can make things worse and may increase the risk of suicide.
If you think a friend or peer is at risk of suicide, don’t keep it a secret. Talk to them, in person (if possible), or over the phone or through text messaging. Ask them if they are thinking about killing themselves and, if so, what their plan is. Also, find out if they have access to a means of suicide (like pills or weapons). Learn the warning signs:
Call the 988 Lifeline
The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a nationwide network of local call centers where you can receive compassionate, accessible support. It’s free and confidential, 24/7. You can call or chat for yourself, or for a loved one.
When 988 launched in July, mental health advocates and researchers celebrated the fact that people in crisis will now have an easy-to-remember three-digit number to call for help. They said the short code would help change the conversation around suicide and promote more openness about seeking help.
Some people, however, were not happy about the launch of 988. On Instagram and other social media, some individuals shared their experiences with the national hotline system, saying they were concerned that 988 might lead to police involvement, involuntary treatment at emergency rooms or psychiatric hospitals, and discrimination against people from LGBTQ+ communities and communities of color.
People who call 988 are connected to a trained crisis counselor in their community. Specialists offer emotional support and safety planning, as well as referrals to local services and follow-up calls.
Make a Safety Plan
A safety plan provides individuals at heightened risk with concrete coping strategies they can use during a suicide crisis to decrease their suicidal thoughts and behaviour. It also conveys hope that there are more effective ways of managing their problems.
Developing a safety plan is usually done in collaboration with a GP, mental health worker or counsellor. This is to ensure the safety plan focuses on the individual’s needs and concerns. It is best to do this while the person feels calm and can think clearly rather than when they are at their highest risk.
A safety plan includes the individual identifying their warning signs that they are having a suicidal crisis; actions they can take on their own to maintain their safety; who they can call for support; and resources they can access. It may also include eliminating or limiting access to lethal means. The safety plan is then provided to the individual in a format they can easily access such as a paper copy, mobile phone app or other electronic tool.
Take Action
Taking action includes identifying people at risk and connecting them to help. It also means ensuring continuity of care and promoting collaboration. This can include formal referral protocols, interagency agreements, cross training, and follow up contact with individuals at risk.
Reducing access to lethal means is another way of taking action. It is important to keep in mind that although reducing access to lethal means may reduce suicide rates by that particular method, it does not prevent people from trying other methods. In fact, research shows that “method substitution” often occurs when a person is unable to obtain the means they want.
NIMH is committed to addressing barriers to help-seeking, including lowering the stigma associated with mental illness and increasing awareness of available services. It is also focusing on implementing research-informed suicide prevention communication activities in diverse populations and fostering resilience, which can protect against suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Lastly, NIMH is working to implement comprehensive community-based suicide prevention strategies, with a specific focus on historically marginalized communities and persons with suicide-centered lived experience.