Suicide: How To Help Someone

By: Melody Dizon

 

BE THERE

How This could mean being physically present for someone, speaking with them on the phone when you can, or any other way that shows support for the person at risk.

An important aspect of this step is to make sure you follow through with the ways in which you say you’ll be able to support the person – do not commit to anything you are not willing or able to accomplish.

If you are unable to be physically present with someone with thoughts of suicide, talk with them to develop some ideas for others who might be able to help as well (again, only others who are willing, able, and appropriate to be there).

Listening is again very important during this step – find out what and who they believe will be the most effective sources of help.

Why

Being there for someone with thoughts of suicide is life-saving. Increasing someone’s connectedness to others and limiting their isolation (both in the short and long-term) has shown to be a protective factor against suicide. Thomas Joiner’s Interpersonal-Psychological Theory of Suicide highlights connectedness as one of its main components – specifically, a low sense of belonging.

When someone experiences this state, paired with perceived burdonsomeness (arguably tied to “connectedness” through isolating behaviors and lack of a sense of purpose) and acquired capability (a lowered fear of death and habituated experiences of violence), their risk can become severely elevated.By “being there,” we have a chance to alleviate or eliminate some of these significant factors.

HELP THEM CONNECT

How

Helping someone with thoughts of suicide connect with ongoing supports (like the Lifeline, 800-273-8255) can help them establish a safety net for those moments they find themselves in a crisis.

Additional components of a safety net might be connecting them with supports and resources in their communities. Explore some of these possible supports with them – are they currently seeing a mental health professional? Have they in the past? Is this an option for them currently? Are there other mental health resources in the community that can effectively help?

One way to start helping them find ways to connect is to work with them to develop a safety plan. This can include ways for them identify if they start to experience significant, severe thoughts of suicide along with what to do in those crisis moments. A safety plan can also include a list of individuals to contact when a crisis occurs.

Why

Impact of Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training on the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline found that individuals that called the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline were significantly more likely to feel less depressed, less suicidal, less overwhelmed, and more hopeful by the end of calls handled by Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training-trained counselors.

These improvements were linked to ASIST-related counselor interventions, including listening without judgment, exploring reasons for living and creating a network of support.

FOLLOW UP

How

After your initial contact with a person experiencing thoughts of suicide, and after you’ve connected them with the immediate support systems they need, make sure to follow- up with them to see how they’re doing. Leave a message, send a text, or give them a call. The follow-up step is a great time to check in with them to see if there is more you are capable of helping with or if there are things you’ve said you would do and haven’t yet had the chance to get done for the person.

Why

This type of contact can continue to increase their feelings of connectedness and share your ongoing support.

There is evidence that even a simple form of reaching out, like sending a caring postcard, can potentially reduce their risk for suicide.Studies have shown a reduction in the number of deaths by suicide when following up was involved with high risk populations after they were discharge from acute care services.

Studies have also shown that brief, low cost intervention and supportive, ongoing contact may be an important part of suicide prevention. Please visit our Follow-Up Matters page for more.

Authenticity at its core, I believe is where one tries the hardest. They search high and low for happiness, far and wide for peace and joy. I feel really really sad and heart burdened for there are so many of them, of us out there still seeking and when the journey has become too tiring and endless, when they have not seen any rainbow here and there, they commit suicide.

They do not have God, a God that they can run to, a God whom I kneel, I bow to, I cry to, I lean on when things are not what they seem. He is more than a friend to me. He is a brother, my Savior, my Rock, my Strength, my Guide, my all, and if things didn’t go as I had hoped it to be, then maybe He has better plans for me.

If things are going the way I had wanted it to be, then my heart is full. In all things, I praise Him and honor Him. He makes me lie down in green pastures and He makes me wanting for nothing. He provides for all my needs.

My life is full and there is no reason to end it all.