Suicide is a serious issue

In the majority of cases, people who are feeling suicidal are dealing with conditions that will pass in time if only they can get the help that they need. In the meantime, there is much that friends and family members can do to help people who are depressed or contemplating suicide.

KNOW THE SIGNS

Prevention first involves being able to recognize the warning signs of suicide, which can include:1

Talking about death or suicide
Feelings of hopelessness

Saying that they are a burden 

Withdrawing from friends and family

Losing interest in activities

Extreme mood swings

Giving away possession

Saying goodbye to family and friends

The following are some suicide prevention tips recommended by the non-profit organization Suicide Prevention Resource Center.3

Don't Discount Their Feelings

While you may think that their problems aren't serious enough to warrant suicidal thoughts or behaviors, what really matters is how serious they perceive them to be. If it feels important to them, then, in their mind, suicide may seem like a valid option.

Listen to what they are saying without offering judgments. Don't be dismissive of their experiences or emotions.

Most importantly, never dismiss suicidal talk or threats. If a person is making comments that seem to indicate that they are depressed or thinking of taking their own life, you should always take them seriously.

Look at Suicide as a Cry for Help

When a person attempts suicide, this isn't necessarily a sign that they want to die. Instead, it's an indicator that they are in great emotional pain, but don't know how to deal with it. Suicide has started to look like their only option to escape a situation that they don't know how to handle.

If they are still alive, however, they are desperately seeking an alternative to death and attempting suicide may be their way of reaching out and saying that they need help.

Be a Good Listener

Being able to talk with a caring friend and unburden yourself from your troubles can go a long way in relieving the unbearable build-up of pressure that can lead to a suicide attempt.

Being a good listener doesn't require any special skills. Be patient and accepting, but avoid getting into an argument or trying to offer simplistic solutions.

Encourage Them to Get Help for Their Depression

Even though some suicides may seem to come out of the blue, it's quite likely that the person had been depressed for a very long time.

Getting prompt professional assistance at the first SIGNS OF DEPRESSION is a very important step in preventing suicide.

Working to take away the stigma around the depression and encouraging people who are hurting to get the help that they need right away can go a long way in saving lives because the problem is dealt with before it gets too bad.

Don't Be Afraid to Ask About Their Suicidal Feelings

While you may be afraid to bring up the topic of suicide for fear of giving them ideas, the fact is that those thoughts and feelings are there regardless of what you might say. What you are really doing by bringing the topic up is giving them an opportunity to open up to you and allow you help them.

If They Are in Danger, Don't Leave Them Alone

If they seem to be in imminent danger of hurting themselves, do not leave them alone. Take steps to get them away from any means that they could use to hurt themselves, such as weapons or pills.

Know That Secrets Can Kill

If the person asks you to not tell anyone, be aware that you may have to break your promise in order to help them. Having your friend or loved one alive but angry with you is preferable to keeping a promise that leads to them taking their life.