Suicide Prevention

What To Do

1. Stay with the person and ask about suicide directly:
   • Ask: “Sometimes when people feel sad, they have thoughts of harming or killing themselves. Have you had such thoughts?”
   • “Are you thinking of about killing yourself?”
   • “Are you considering suicide?”
   • Contrary to popular belief, asking about suicide doesn’t put ideas into people’s head.
   • Ask about the person’s thoughts. Ask about the plan, method and means – are they lethal? Available?
2. Listen
   • Try to remain calm. In most instances there is no rush. Focus on listening and understanding.
   • Reflect back feelings and paraphrase: “What I hear you say is that you are in a great deal of pain and feel hopeless.”
   • “Let me see if I am understanding this correctly…”
   • Encourage problem solving and positive actions, but don’t try to take away or minimize their pain. Encourage them to refrain from making any serious, irreversible decisions while in a crisis.
   • Listen with respect. Suicidal people very often need understanding and care.
   • Tell them: “I don’t want you to die.”
   • Tell them: “I will hold onto the hope for you until you can feel it too.”
   • Take all suicide threats seriously. Listen and express concern in a nonjudgmental way.
   • Show that you care.
3. Get or call help immediately
   • Take charge and take action. Don’t worry about invading their privacy – suicide prevention is your business and often suicidal people have such tunnel vision they are unable to take action for themselves. Don’t leave it up to them to get help.
   • If the crisis is acute, treat it as an emergency and call:
     • Psikoacil: 0 216 6330633
     • the person’s psychiatrist or emergency room

What Not To Do

• Do not keep it a secret.
• Do not sidestep the issue or treat it lightly.
• Do not leave the person alone.
• Do not offer simple solutions.
• Do not judge or tell the person they will go to Hell.
• Do not offer or suggest drugs or alcohol.

Do not try to be a therapist. Get professional help.