Suicide Prevention-How to help someone

If someone you know is thinking about suicide…

1.    Take it seriously, even if your friend brushes it off. Suicidal ideation (continual suicidal thoughts) is not typical, and it reflects a larger problem.
2.    An angry friend is better than a dead friend.
3.    Ask, listen, tell, if the threat is immediate stay with the person.
4.    Bring friend to a trusted adult. If they don’t know what to do or don’t take it seriously find another adult.
5.    Be a good listener but remember that having suicidal thoughts reflects a bigger underlying problem such as depression, substance problems, abuse, or problem-solving difficulties. You can listen, but they need to speak to a professional.
6.    Thirty percent (30%) of those who attempt suicide tell someone before, but many don’t tell anyone after.

When some talks to you, that is the moment for intervention
With each suicide attempt, risk of suicide increases.

7. Warning Signs

Change in mood: sadness, anxiety, irritability
Change in behavior: isolation
Change in sleep
Change in appetite
Increase in aggression or impulsiveness
Agitation
Feeling hopeless or worthless
Saying things like “No one will miss me” or “You’ll be better off” (feeling like a burden)
Feeling ashamed or humiliated, or desperation, as after a break-up or test
Collecting means

Talking about wanting to kill themselves
Drop in grades
Risk-taking
Giving away prized possessions

Find help fast

In an emergency, call 911.
Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to talk to a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center in your area at any time (National Suicide Prevention Lifeline).
If you are outside of the U.S., please visit the International Association for Suicide Prevention for a database of international resources.

Where to go: Psychiatric hospital walk-in clinic; hospital emergency room; urgent care center or clinic- Desert View’s crisis line is 505-947-4471