Supporting Those You Love In Times of Distress -

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*** Note: This blog was written by our former Content Specialist Sammantha Rials.

TRIGGER WARNING: Suicide

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September 10th is World Suicide Prevention day. September 8th – 14th is National Suicide Prevention Week and September 10th is World Suicide Prevention day.

If you or someone in your life is feeling the urge to hurt themselves, please remember that there is nothing to be ashamed about. You are never alone and you will get through this time in your life.

In this post, we will focus on how to help those around you who may be in distress. It can be extremely difficult to watch those you love and care for go through a difficult time. When you are worried about the well-being of someone in your life, please listen to that gut instinct and try to offer them support and help.

Here are some specific ways to approach a situation where you feel someone may be suicidal or in need of help:

(The information below is from Western Michigan University’s Suicide Prevention Program)

Take statements of self-harm and suicide seriously and listen attentively to the person making the comments

If someone makes a comment or statement about suicide or self-harm, take them seriously and listen to what they are saying. When someone is talking about suicide or self-harm, it is a serious matter and should not be taken lightly. Listen as actively as possible to what the person is feeling and thinking about to get a better idea of what is going on in their life and assess their risk.

A great way to practice active listening is to rephrase or reword what someone has said back to them to clarify that is what they meant. You can also consider saying words such as “yes” or affirming words that show you are hearing what the person is saying.

Ask difficult questions about what the person is feeling

The word suicide is not dirty, it is important to understand and gauge how the person is feeling about the topic. This will give you an idea about their thoughts and feeling surrounding suicide and self-harm. Here are some questions you can ask:

“Have you been thinking about suicide?”
“Have you made plans to commit suicide or hurt yourself?”
“Have you tried to commit suicide in the past?”

If you feel someone is at high risk, make sure someone is with them

If someone has answered yes to one or more of the above questions or given you a reason to believe they will harm themselves or are planning to do so, please do not leave them alone. Make sure to keep an eye on them yourself or wait until another party is able to be with the person to ensure their safety. Keep an eye out for any firearms, drugs, or objects that could be dangerous or sharp. If you find any of these items, remove them from the person at risk.

Refer the person to professional help

Consider referring the person to seek professional help. QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) Certification for Suicide Prevention emphasizes the need for referring someone to help if they are showing suicidal thoughts or ideation. It is extremely important to give someone the resources necessary to help them stay safe and receive the proper treatment.

Note that there are many organizations that offer therapy and mental health resources for free or at a low cost. If finances are a concern for the person in question, reassure them that there are ways for them to get help without sacrificing their financial independence.

If you feel someone is in immediate danger, call 911 or take them to a hospital

In 2019 alone, suicide took the lives of over 47,500 Americans and was the tenth cause of death in the United States. These statistics are staggering and we must come together to ensure that anyone who is struggling is supported and given the best resources possible.

Please reach out for help if you or your loved one is experiencing a crisis.

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Here are suicide/mental health hotlines by area:

United States

National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273- 8255

Canada

Toll-Free Provincial Suicide Hotline: 1-800-667-5005

Anywhere in Europe

Mental Health Help Telephone Line: 116 123

Saudia Arabia

National Committee for the Promotion of Mental Health: 920033360

India