Help someone who is intending to commit suicide - tips

Video: Suicide Assessment Role-Play - Ideation, Intent, and Plan

Content

Steps
Advice
Warning

If you have reason to believe that a person you know is intending to commit suicide, you need to help that person immediately. Suicide, the act of deliberate self-death, is a serious threat, even to those who are incapable of fully understanding the end of death. Whether your friend says she is attempting suicide or you simply have a hunch about it, you should take action; to be able to save a human life. Call the US National Suicide Prevention Line 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) or the UK Suicide Hotline 08457 90 90 90 to learn more about local supports and resources to prevent suicide. Experts also agree that suicide is linked to both health and social issues and that it can be prevented by raising awareness among people about suicide.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Speak to someone who intends to commit suicide

Show that you care. The best defense against feelings of isolation (serious risk factors) is emotional support and connection with friends, family, and community. A suicidal person needs to feel a sense of belonging, so show that she is an important part of your life. Think about ways you can help support or relieve stress in her life.
Be interested in the interests of a teen or young adult. If the person you're worried about is still young, learn about her special interests so you can talk to her about them. The main goal is to show her that you care about her so that you take her interests and advice very seriously. Asking open-ended questions can help her openly share her passion and interests with you.
- You might ask questions like: "How did you find out so much about (filling in the blanks)?" "Can you tell me more about that?" “I really like your style; How do you choose outfits? Do you have any fashion advice for me? " “I saw the movie you said and I loved it. Do you have any more movies to recommend for me? " “What is your favorite movie? Why do you like it? " "Are there any hobbies or activities you can spend your life doing?"
Helping the elderly feel helpful. If you know that an older person has suicidal thoughts because they feel they are useless or are a burden to others, try to help the person feel helpful or to reduce their burden.
- Ask her to teach you something like cooking or knitting or playing cards.
- If the person has a health or mobility problem, offer to take her somewhere or bring her a home-cooked meal.
- Show interest in the person's life or seek advice to resolve a problem. You might ask questions like, "When you were young, what was your life like?" "What is your favorite memory?" "Of all the changes in the world you've seen so far, which is the biggest?" "What will you do to help someone who is bullied?" "What have you done to deal with this feeling of being overwhelmed as a parent?"
Don't be afraid to talk about suicide. According to the conception of some cultures and some families, suicide is considered a taboo that everyone should avoid mentioning. You may fear that if you talk to someone about it. Suicide means you urge her to practice her suicidal thoughts. All of these factors can make you hesitate to speak frankly about suicide. However, you should oppose this thought because the truth is the exact opposite; Talking frankly about suicide will help a person in crisis think and reconsider their decisions.
- For example, in a suicide prevention project in an Indian territory with a high suicide rate, a few 8th grade students admitted they planned to commit suicide until they got involved. public discussions on this matter. These discussions violated the cultural taboos but they helped each participant choose their own life and vowed never to have suicidal thoughts again.
Prepare to talk to someone about suicide. After learning about suicide and re-emphasizing your relationship with a suicidal person, be prepared to talk to her. Create a comfortable environment in a safe place to talk about issues you are concerned about.
- Minimize things that can interrupt a conversation by turning off electronic devices, keeping your phone silent and arranging roommates, children or others to a safe place other.
Straight. Not judging or making accusations and listening openly will help bring the conversation closer. You wouldn't want a line between the two; Avoid this by showing that you are open-minded and considerate of them.
- It can be frustrating to talk to someone in crisis and can't think clearly, so remind yourself to be calm and understanding.
- The best way to become open-minded is to not be prepared to react to the other person. Ask a few questions like "How do you feel?" or "What bothered you?" and let them talk. Don't try to argue or convince them that things are not as bad as they think.
Speak clearly and frankly. It is completely futile to be too cautious or cautious when it comes to suicide. Be straightforward and clear about your thoughts. Consider using a three-way conversation that involves strengthening relationships, explaining what you notice, and showing interest. Then ask her if she intends to commit suicide.
- For example, “Flower, you and I have been friends for three years. Lately he seems very depressed and he also drinks more. I feel very worried about you and I'm afraid you might be thinking about suicide. ”
- Or “Son, ever since you were born, I promised myself I will always be with you. Lately I haven't been doing my normal routine and sometimes Dad even hears me cry. I will do anything to not lose you. Have you ever been thinking about suicide? "
- Or “I've always been a shining example for everyone to follow. But lately I've been talking about hurting myself. You are a very special person to you. If you are attempting to commit suicide, please tell me about it ”.
Allow them to remain silent. After you have started a conversation, the person may be silent at first. She may be surprised when you “read her mind” or be surprised that something she has done has made you think she was going to commit suicide. Maybe she wants to take a moment to focus before she is ready to answer you.
Patience. If the other person dismisses your concerns by saying "No, I'm okay" or not answering you, show your concern again. Give her one more chance to answer. Be calm and don't disturb her, but you have to be steadfast in persuading her to tell you about the things that are bothering her.
Let the person speak. Listen to what she has to say and accept the feelings she is saying, even if it hurts you to listen. Don't try to argue or explain to her what she should do. Offer her a few options for continuing hope and getting through the crisis if possible.
Recognize the other person's feelings. When you are talking to someone about their feelings, you need to accept them instead of trying to “reason” or convince her that they are irrational.
- For example, if someone told you that she intended to kill herself because a pet she loved just passed away, it would be useless to tell her she was overdoing it. If she says she just lost someone she truly loves, don't tell her she's too young to know what love is or there are lots of other guys out there for her. .
Don't try to "challenge the person". This may seem obvious, but you should not challenge or encourage the person to commit suicide. Perhaps you think it is a way to make the other person understand that she's stupid or even give her a chance to realize she really wants to live. However, your “push” can actually make her take action and you will feel responsible for her death.
Thank that person for opening up to you. If the person admits that she intended to kill herself, show that you are grateful that she believed it to you. You may want to ask her if she tells this story to someone else and if others will help her deal with her emotions.
Advise her to seek help from others. Encourage the person to call the US National Suicide Prevention Line 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to speak with a trained professional. That expert can provide tips for developing coping skills to help you overcome a crisis of suicide.
- Don't be surprised if she refuses to call the line but write down her number or put it on her phone so she can call if she changes her mind.
Ask if the person is planning to commit suicide. Encourage a friend or loved one to share details about suicidal thoughts with you. This can be the most difficult part of the conversation because it makes suicidal thoughts more real. However, knowing your specific plan will help you minimize your chances of successful suicide.
- If the person has gone so far as to have a plan in mind, you need to help her out.
Agreement with someone who intends to commit suicide. Before ending your conversation, exchange your promises. You will promise that you will always be ready to talk to her at any time, day or night. In return, ask her to promise that she will call you before attempting to commit suicide.
- Maybe that promise was enough to make her stop and seek help before committing suicide.
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Method 2 of 3: Act against suicide

Minimize your chances of hurting yourself in a crisis. Don't leave the person alone if you think she is in a crisis. Get help right away by calling 911, a crisis interventionist or a trusted friend.
Eliminate all means of self-harm. If someone is in a crisis and intends to commit suicide, limit all means to reduce their likelihood of self-harm. In particular, it is necessary to remove all items in the suicide plan.
- Most men who commit suicide will choose a gun to end their lives, while women tend to poison themselves with drugs or poisons.
- Prevent the person from accessing guns, drugs, poisons, belts, ropes, knives or sharp scissors, cutting tools such as saws, and / or anything that could facilitate the person's suicide .
- Your goal is to eliminate means of suicide to delay suicide so that the person has time to calm down and choose to live on.
Call for help. The person in crisis may ask you to keep their suicidal feelings a secret. However, you shouldn't feel compelled to comply with this requirement; This is potentially life-threatening, so calling a crisis management specialist for help is not a violation of the person's trust in you. You may want to let at least one of the following resources know:
- US National Suicide Prevention Line 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
- school counselor or spiritual leader such as priest, pastor or rabbi
- Doctor who's in crisis
- 9-1-1 (if you feel the person is in danger)
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Method 3 of 3: Understand suicidal tendencies

Understand the gravity of committing suicide. Suicide is the culmination of overcoming one's instincts towards self-protection.
- Suicide is a global problem; in 2012 alone, about 804,000 people took their own lives.
- In the US, suicide is the leading cause of death, with one suicide every 5 minutes. In 2012 in the US there were more than 43,300 deaths caused by suicide.
Understand the process that leads to suicide. Although the determinant of a suicidal act can be due to an outburst and in an impulsive moment, suicide is an accumulation process that people will usually recognize after the event is over. Processes of suicide include:
- Stressful events lead to feelings of sadness and depression
- Considering suicide, the person will wonder if he should continue living
- Plan a suicide in a specific way
- Preparing for suicide, including collecting suicidal means and giving property to loved ones
- Attempting to commit suicide, he will try to end his life
Watch for symptoms of depression and anxiety after a big change in your life. People of any age will experience anxiety and depression after experiencing a change in their life. Most people are aware that this is perfectly normal and that the situation is only temporary. However, some people become so immersed in their despair and anxiety that they cannot see anything other than the current situation. They have no hope and find no solution to the pain they are feeling.
- One suicidal attempt is to put an end to the suffering of a situation (temporarily) in a (permanent, irreversible) way.
- Some people even believe that feeling suicidal means they are crazy and that if they go crazy they will commit suicide. This is completely incorrect for two reasons. First, people without mental illness may also commit suicide. Second, people with mental problems are still important people and have a lot of value.
Seriously consider suicide threats. You've probably heard that people who intend to commit suicide never say it out. This is completely wrong! People who frankly talk about suicide may be asking for help in the only way she knows, and if no one offers to help, she may succumb to the dark situation. overloading her.
- In a recent study, 8.3 million US adults admitted that they had suicidal thoughts last year. 2.2 million people have suicides and 1 million have unsuccessfully committed suicide.
- It is believed that for every successful suicide, there will be between 20 and 25 unsuccessful suicides. In the age group 15 to 24, there are up to 200 unsuccessful suicides for each successful suicide.
- More than 15% of US high school students surveyed admitted having attempted suicide. 12% of them have a specific plan and 8% have tried to end their own life.
- These numbers show that if you suspect someone is suicidal, chances are you are right; it is better to assume yourself right and ask for help.
Don't assume that your friend is not the "type" to end his or her own life. It would have become a lot easier to stop suicide if there was indeed a specific description of the type of person who would commit suicide. Suicide can affect everyone from any country, regardless of race, sex, age, creed or economic status.
- Many find it surprising to discover that even 6-year-olds and the elderly, who feel themselves as burdened by their family, can end their lives.
- Don't assume that only people with mental problems commit suicide. The rate of suicide is higher for people with mental illness, but ordinary people can also commit suicide. In addition, people diagnosed with a mental illness may not be candidly sharing that information, so you will not be aware of their medical status.
Be aware of trends in suicide statistics. While suicidal thoughts can happen to anyone, there are certain characteristics that help identify groups of people at higher risk. Men are four times more likely to commit suicide, but women are more likely to commit suicide, talk about suicidal intentions with others, and attempt to commit suicide more often.
- Native Americans have a higher suicide rate than other ethnic groups.
- Adults under 30 are more likely to have suicidal thoughts than those over 30.
- For adolescent girls, the Hispanic group had the highest rates of suicide.
Know the risk factors for suicide. Note that, as pointed out above, people with suicidal thoughts are different and do not follow a specific pattern. However, understanding the risk factors will help you determine if your friend is in danger. People who are at a higher risk of suicide than others are:
- ever tried to kill himself
- mentally ill, often depressed
- alcohol or recreational drug abuse including pain relievers
- have a chronic health problem or illness
- have a job or financial problem
- feel like they are lonely or lonely and lack social support
- have emotional problems
- someone close to him has committed suicide
- victims of racism, violence or abuse
- experience feelings of despair
Beware of the three most serious risk factors. Professor Thomas Joiner argues that the three most accurate predictors of suicide include feeling lonely, feeling yourself burdened with others, and learning to hurt yourself. He called it "drills" of suicide rather than calling for help. People at greatest risk of suicide often:
- loss of sensation with physical pain
- not afraid to die
Recognize suicide warning signs. Warning signs differ from risk factors (as above) in that they indicate an imminent risk of an attempt to commit suicide. Some people end their lives without any warning, but most people who try to commit suicide will say or do something. This will be seen as a red light warning people that something bad is happening.If you notice some or all of the danger signs below, immediately intervene to Avoid tragedy from happening. Some warning signs include:
- changes in sleeping or eating habits
- excessive alcohol use, stimulants or pain relievers
- unable to work, think clearly or make decisions
- show feelings of extreme sadness or depression
- show feelings of loneliness or act like no one notices or cares for them
- sharing feelings of helplessness, despair, or lack of control
- complaining of pain and not being able to imagine a future without suffering.
- threatens to hurt himself
- giving away property they love or have value in.
- Suddenly happy or energetic after a long period of depression
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Advice

Understand that on your side, patience is key. Don't push them to make a decision or tell you everything. Always be very subtle in matters as serious as death.
Try to understand what caused them to make such a decision. Suicide is often accompanied by depression, an emotional condition that is very different to people who have never experienced it. Listen carefully and try to understand why they feel that way.
Life events that may lead to suicidal thoughts include the loss of a loved one, loss of a family / home / money / confidence, change of health, divorce or breakup, self-disclosure or disclosure. third gender, social diseases, surviving a natural disaster, etc.Again, if you become aware that the person has been going through such experiences, be very wary of the seriousness of the situation.
Listen to them and their problems. They need a good listener.
If the person is not in immediate danger, talking is the best way to help now.
Especially if you are a teenager and you are worried about a friend or family member attempting suicide, talk to a trusted adult or call the street right away. hot wire to get help for both of you. Don't keep it a secret! This is a heavy burden that you can bear, and it will get worse if your friend actually commits suicide despite the words he / she made to you when you talked to them.
Just listen. Don't try to tell them how to feel better or give them advice. Just be quiet and really listen.
Keep the person talking. Create an environment filled with empathy and understanding. Tell her that you love her and how much you will miss her if she is no longer in this world.
Diseases that can lead to suicidal thoughts include depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, physical impairment, mental disorder, drug or alcohol addiction, etc. If you know someone with one of the aforementioned illnesses and he / she mentions suicide, help them get help immediately.