The week of August 31st starting National Suicide Prevention Month is focused on one of the five action steps of communicating with someone who may be suicidal.

The first action step is asking. 

How Do I Ask?

Asking directly, “Are you thinking about suicide?” sends the message that you’re open to talking about suicide in a non-judgmental and supportive way. Avoid debating the value of life, minimizing their problems or giving advice

Being direct and unbiased can open the door for effective dialogue about their emotional pain and can allow everyone involved to see what next steps need to be taken. Allow them to express their feelings and accept those feelings. 

During this time of physical distancing, pay special attention to people that you know already struggle or have struggled in the past with emotional distress. Make sure to reach out more frequently to talk and check in. Don’t wait for them to come to you to ask for help or connection. 

Important Information

The FCC has designated 988 as the new nationwide number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to be completed by July 2022. Despite what you have heard- please continue to share 1-800-273-TALK (8255) with anyone wishing to connect to the Lifeline. 988 is NOT CURRENTLY ACTIVE nationally and may not connect callers to the Lifeline.

Check out the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s guide on If Someone Tells You They’re Thinking About Suicide: A #RealConvo Guide from AFSP. It provides straightforward insight on what to say during the conversation.

The National Alliance On Mental Illness also have guides on Navigating a Mental Health Crisis and en español Cómo Lidiar Con Una Crisis de Salud Mental.

Listen

Listening to their reasons for being in such emotional pain, in addition to listening for any potential reasons they want to continue to stay alive, are both incredibly important when they are telling you what’s going on. Help them focus on their reasons for living and avoid trying to impose your reasons for them to stay alive.

If a person says they are considering suicide

Make sure you take their answers seriously and don’t ignore them. Stay with them. Help remove lethal means. Escort them to mental health services or an emergency room. Get help from people or agencies specializing in crisis intervention and suicide prevention:

Crisis Services Directory

  • Emergency: 911
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) 24/7
  • Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio: 1-888-628-9454
  • For Deaf & Hard of Hearing: For TTY Users, use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 1-800-273-8255. You can also use the chat.
  • Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255 or text 838255 or chat with VCL
  • Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990 or Text TalkWithUs to 66746
  • Crisis Text Line: text TALK to 741741 to text with a trained crisis counselor
  • SAMHSA Treatment Referral Hotline (Substance Abuse): 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
  • RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
  • National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline:1-866-331-9474
  • The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386

Risk Factors and Warning Signs

There is no single cause for suicide, but there are risk factors and warning signs which may increase likelihood of an attempt. Learning them can save lives. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention has more information here. Suicide is preventable.