Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (2022). Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States: Results from the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (HHS Publication No. PEP22-07-01-005, NSDUH Series H-57). Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. https://www.samhsa.gov/data/report/2021-nsduh-annual-national-report Ask the person if there is something they need or something you can do to help. This allows them to ask for something—a ride to the emergency room or companionship, for example—if they need it. Be prepared for them to say no or that they don’t know, but don’t end the conversation there. I urge you to be kind to others. You can not tell by looking at someone if they are struggling with suicidal thoughts or who they’ve lost to suicide. Arm yourself with education and compassion. Suicide is a public health issue and affects us all.

After an attempt: A guide for taking care of your family member after treatment in the emergency department. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. https://sprc.org/online-library/after-an-attempt-a-guide-for-taking-care-of-your-family-member-after-treatment-in-the-emergency-department/. Accessed April 14, 2023. Don’t agree to keep someone’s thoughts of suicide secret, but don’t use a person’s feelings to humiliate them. Share their feelings with someone who is equipped to help. That person might be a parent, sibling, or loved one. It could also be a mental health expert. The right person varies. For example, a teacher worried about a suicidal teenager with abusive parents should consider talking to someone other than the teen’s parents. Call a suicide hotline. The person on the other end of the line can connect you to emergency intervention services in your area, offer you the support you need to be a good listener, and answer questions about suicide. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline offers an online chat, or you can call 1-800-273-8255 for help over the phone. When a person shares their feelings of hopelessness or thoughts of suicide, try the following strategies: Validate their feelings. It may be tempting to minimize their suffering in an attempt to get them to change their suicidal thoughts. Validation, however, can help your loved one feel understood. It encourages them to keep talking. Talking can save lives.

Male 1: And one more thing, if you think your kid might be about to hurt himself, don't leave him alone. These guidelines reduce the likelihood that vulnerable people will see suicide as thrilling, glamorous, or the inevitable result of a sudden difficulty. They also help reporters avoid victim blaming and reduce stigma by treating suicide as a health concern, not a moral or criminal issue. How to Talk to a Suicidal Person Avoid hyperbolic language such as “suicide epidemic.” Use specific language such as “rise in the suicide rate.” Gorton HC, et al. (2016). Non-psychotropicmedication and risk of suicide or attempted suicide: A systematic review. DOI:

Suicidal thoughts and attempted suicide take an emotional toll. For instance, you may be so consumed by suicidal thoughts that you can't function in your daily life. And while many attempted suicides are impulsive acts during a moment of crisis, they can leave you with permanent serious or severe injuries, such as organ failure or brain damage. Suicidal thoughts have many causes. Most often, suicidal thoughts are the result of feeling like you can't cope when you're faced with what seems to be an overwhelming life situation. If you don't have hope for the future, you may mistakenly think suicide is a solution. You may experience a sort of tunnel vision, where in the middle of a crisis you believe suicide is the only way out. Connecting the dots: An overview of the links among multiple forms of violence. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/suicide/index.html. Accessed Feb. 20, 2018. Offer to help them find a healthcare provider, make a phone call, or go with them to their first appointment.If you’re concerned and don’t know what to do, you can get help from a crisis or suicide prevention hotline. Risk factors, protective factors, and warning signs. American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. https://www.afsp.org/risk-factors-protective-factors-and-warning-signs. Accessed April 14, 2023. Reidenberg trains journalists who report on suicide, and he helped develop a list of best practices for journalists reporting on suicide. He says most journalists do not understand their role in contagion, yet simple changes in the way journalists talk about suicide can make a big difference. A 2007 study of Austrian guidelines for reporting on suicide found use of the guidelines lowered the nation’s suicide rate by 80% in just six months. Guidelines for Reporting on Suicide I feel your pain…at least I want to. I want to listen, to wrap my arms around you, to tell you that you are NOT alone, that people care, that this will pass, that life CAN get better, that there IS hope, that NOTHING is unforgiveable or irreversible.

You can’t see what a person is feeling on the inside, so it isn’t always easy to identify when someone is having suicidal thoughts. However, some outward warning signs that a person may be contemplating suicide include: If you suspect that a family member or friend may be considering suicide, talk to them about your concerns. You can begin the conversation by asking questions in a non-judgmental and non-confrontational way.Frequently asked questions about suicide. National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/suicide-faq. Accessed April 14, 2023. Please note that there is a review process whereby all comments posted to blog posts and webinars are reviewed by ADAA staff to determine appropriateness before comments are posted. ADAA reserves the right to remove or edit a post containing offensive material as defined by ADAA. In addition to direct clinical work, Dr. Ashley is actively involved in other scholarly activities. She has been an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and has provided supervision, trainings, and consultation for students and other professionals. She has several publications, including a blog, and maintains active involvement in professional organizations like the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. She regularly presents keynotes, workshops, and trainings to audiences of all sizes and has been involved in planning and producing local and national conferences. Suicide is a serious public health problem; however, suicides are preventable with timely, evidence-based and often low-cost interventions. For national responses to be effective, a comprehensive multisectoral suicide prevention strategy is needed. Who is at risk?