Help Prevent Suicides

Be direct. Ask if the person feels suicidal. Asking about suicide will not make them become suicidal and asking will not cause them to attempt suicide.

Suicidal thoughts often occur when a person's pain exceeds their ability to cope. This is why it is essential to help your loved one with their immediate safety.

If you think someone is suicidal:

• Tell them you are concerned they may take their own life.
• Ask them if they are going to kill themselves.
  • If yes, ask them if they have a plan. (The more detailed the plan, the greater the likelihood that they will act on that plan.)
• Get help immediately! Call a suicide hotline (1-800-273-8255) or their mental health clinician. (See above for other options.)
• Do not leave the person alone.
• If possible and during the crisis period, remove and secure items that may be used to attempt suicide (such as pills or poisons, firearms, etc.).

1. Make their home safe. Remove all guns and weapons from the house, or at least lock them up, assuring that the location of the key (or number of combination) is not made known to the person you are concerned about. More than half of all suicide deaths involve a firearm. In a home where there is a gun, it is five times more likely that someone living in that home will take his or her life compared to a home without a gun. Other potentially harmful items such as ropes, cords, sharp knives, alcohol and other drugs, medications, plastic bags, and poisons should also be removed while there is a high risk of suicidal behavior.
2. Watch for signs of drinking or drug use. If someone has depression, feels suicidal, and drinks a lot of alcohol, the person is more likely to take his or her life. Discuss your concerns about their drinking or drug use with their clinician.
3. Develop a suicide emergency plan. Before a crisis arises (or after the crisis is averted), discuss with the person who you will contact if they feel suicidal. Discuss with them and their clinician what you should do and where you should take the person if he or she feels suicidal. The clinician may have specific recommendations and the person may have preferences. Put this plan in writing and revisit it occasionally. This can be a proactive way to help prevent suicides.
4. Increase coping skills. Once your loved one is safe, support them in identifying and building healthy coping skills. This will enable them to manage their response to distressing situations or periods of time in a healthier way. Support the person in continuing or beginning to work with a therapist.