Preventing suicide involves a variety of strategies at the individual, community and system levels. These include teaching coping and problem-solving skills to reduce risk, screening and prevention initiatives like gatekeeper training and reducing access to lethal means of self-harm.
Helping someone in crisis can start with asking about suicidal thoughts and connecting them to 988 Lifeline and other resources. It can also include helping them connect to a family member, friend or spiritual advisor.
1. Know the Warning Signs
While suicide is a complex issue and there’s no single cause, there are warning signs and risk factors. Knowing them can help you recognize if someone is at risk and get them the help they need.
These can include talking about suicidal thoughts or wishes, making preparations like writing a note, giving away possessions, tidying up living spaces or researching weapons or harmful substances. Mood changes and withdrawal from family and friends are also common warning signs.
In both trials, patients who triggered a suicide assessment were asked about past attempts, plans and the probability that they would hurt themselves again. Of those whose assessment was triggered, most were classified as minimal risk, meaning they had neither a history nor a plan and reported the probability as “not at all likely.” However, the assessment class changed in 19 of these patients.
2. Ask for Help
While it may be difficult to talk about suicide, the right thing is to ask. Having someone listen and take your feelings seriously can help prevent a suicide attempt. Likewise, it’s important to connect those in crisis with family and friends, community support, places of worship and mental health services.
People often think that if they mention suicidal thoughts, others will dismiss them or react negatively. But research shows that asking for help is not a sign of weakness and can actually be very powerful.
Find an adult you trust, such as a parent or school counselor and tell them your concerns. Many schools have crisis teams that train staff in recognizing warning signs and responding to a person in a crisis. Also check to see if your town or city has a suicide prevention resource.
3. Don’t Be Afraid to Talk
Suicide is a complex issue that requires a team approach. Stigma, a lack of awareness and taboo around mental health illnesses contributes to the high rates of suicide.
People who have felt suicidal say they’re relieved when someone talks to them about their feelings. They know they can’t tell everyone, but they do need someone to talk to.
Some warning signs of suicide include talking about a wish to die, looking for ways to kill themselves and making preparations like writing a will, giving away possessions or telling loved ones goodbye. Other warnings are erratic behavior, intense emotions or recklessness.
Counselors need to check in regularly with clients who are at risk for suicide and help them identify protective factors. A counselor should be especially careful with incarcerated clients, who are at much higher risk than the general population.
4. Don’t Make Deals
A key to suicide prevention is not making deals with people at risk. Instead, public officials should emphasize the importance of limiting access to lethal means, such as by placing barriers on bridges or promoting a 24/7 crisis text line.
School administrators can reduce the risk of suicide by teaching students how to recognize the warning signs and seek help. They also can promote psychosocial competencies such as resilience, which is a protective factor against suicide.
Family members should check in with children and teens often, especially when they seem preoccupied with death or violence, change their regular routines, withdraw from social activities, sleep or eat more than usual, have an interest in weapons or medications or display other warning signs. It’s important that they know they are loved and supported.
5. Get Help
Getting help is not easy for anyone, but it is essential. People with suicidal thoughts can be helped by a mental health professional, medication or therapy. Many schools have organized crisis teams including teachers, counselors, school psychologists and social workers to respond to students in crisis. It is important to ask your school if they have one.
Other ways to prevent suicide include educating the community on warning signs and providing access to support. This includes lowering barriers to access by making services more convenient and culturally appropriate. It also includes gatekeeper training, promoting self-help tools and screening and teaching about risk factors. Another key is to continue support over the long term, even after a crisis has passed. Keeping in touch through phone calls, dropping by, and email can make a difference.