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How Can I Help Someone Else?
Whether you know someone who is having a hard time, someone who has recently attempted suicide and survived, or someone who has lost a loved one to suicide, there are many things you can do to help.
By Showing Up And Reaching Out, You’re Taking A Big Step Towards Supporting Your Loved One.
When you are supporting someone else, it can be helpful to gain a basic understanding of suicide and suicide prevention, to break down any stigma, and dissolve any myths about suicide you may hold as beliefs. Holding onto these beliefs may make it challenging to support a loved one in a safe, appropriate way.
Suicide Is Complex And Multi-Faceted.
One way to understand suicide is: “Suicide is an attempt to solve a problem of intense emotional pain with impaired problem-solving skills.” Judith Springer, 2011
For more information on suicide, you can:
Visit the “Understanding Suicide” section of our website
Check out some FAQ’s about suicide and suicide prevention here
Supporting Someone Who Is Struggling Or Who Has Attempted
Below are some tips for supporting someone who is struggling with thoughts of suicide or has attempted suicide and lived.
Listen To The Person
Be attentive and reach out to the person to have a caring conversation. Take the person seriously and listen carefully. It is important to remain objective and non-judgmental. You can also assure the person that help is available and something can be done. If they tell you that they are having thoughts of suicide, you should never promise to keep it a secret. Their life is too important.
Determine Risk
Be aware of the risk factors and warning signs for suicide. Ask the person directly about any intentions of suicide. Discuss suicide openly and honestly.
Get Help
Offer support and encourage hope. You can encourage hope by focusing on the person’s strengths. If you’re comfortable, you can agree to go get help with them or offer to sit with them as they make a phone call to support services. Don’t take on their problems; try to help connect them with someone who can support them. It is important to take all threats of suicide seriously. For information on online and community resources, check out our Youth Resources and Adults / All Ages Resources pages.