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September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
How Talking About Suicide Can Help
Talking about suicide is an effective way to help prevent it. But it’s vital to know what to say.
We can all help prevent suicide, says 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. This national network of local crisis centers wants everyone to know that suicide is not inevitable for anyone.
Many more people attempt suicide than die from it. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) says that supports the idea that many who try suicide want their pain to end, not their life. To help someone who is thinking about suicide, the key message has three parts: hope, healing and help.
Most people thinking about suicide give some sign of their intentions. Learning the warning signs is essential to recognizing people who may be at risk. Some of the major warning signs are:
- Talking about suicide or death
- Looking for ways to kill oneself
- Feelings of anger and despair
- Big shifts in mood, eating, or sleep patterns
Other risk factors include:
- Earlier suicide attempts or self-harm, such as cutting
- History of suicide in the family
- Substance misuse
- Facing bullying, trauma, or abuse
Many people think that mentioning suicide to someone who may be at risk may be planting the idea of suicide. But that isn’t true. Openly expressing your concerns is an important way to help. It shows you care and want to understand.
Don’t be afraid to ask, “Are you having thoughts of suicide?” If the answer is yes, stay with them. Text or call 988, the three-digit dialing code connecting people to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Care for veterans is also available at 988.
It’s important to learn the right way to talk to someone who is thinking about suicide, says the National Child Traumatic Stress Network. Ask if they’d like to talk and really listen without judging. Ask what would help them right then, without giving possible solutions. The key is to be there and then follow up, which might mean helping them reach out to mental health care providers. Friends and family can also take steps to make a safe place for someone who is at risk and learn how they might step in during a crisis, says the American Psychological Association.
Being closely linked to family and community support may decrease someone’s suicidal thoughts and actions. Everyone can help support others. Build family resiliency by:
- Helping children learn coping and problem-solving skills
- Supporting programs that teach social skills
- Boosting ties to friends, family, and community
Remember, if you or a loved one is having thoughts of harming themselves now, get help right away. You can call or text 988 or visit 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
For more information on suicide prevention, read here.
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