Preventing suicide requires work at the individual, systems and community levels. For example, limiting access to lethal means (like guns or pills) and teaching warning signs can help reduce suicide risk.
Life skills training and building resilience (the ability to withstand and cope with difficult times) also can protect against suicide, as can social programs that reduce isolation and foster connectedness.
1. Talk to Someone
If someone is talking about suicide or shows other warning signs, it’s important to talk to them. Even if you don’t think they are at risk, it’s important to let them know you care and that you want to help.
Be direct and ask if they are thinking about suicide. Although it may be uncomfortable or scary, studies show that asking at-risk individuals about suicidal thoughts does not increase suicides or suicidal feelings. Be nonjudgmental and listen carefully. Don’t debate whether suicide is right or wrong, lecture about the value of life, or promise to keep it a secret.
Help them stay safe by reducing their access to lethal items, and by staying with them or helping them find someone else to stay with them. Also, helping them connect with ongoing supports like family members, friends, spiritual advisors or mental health professionals is helpful as well.
2. Don’t Forget About Them
Suicide can affect an entire community, and it can raise the risk for people who lived nearby or went to school with the person who took their life. This increased risk is known as suicide contagion.
It’s important to continue supporting someone who is struggling with suicide even after the crisis has passed. This can include continuing to listen without judgment and helping them find resources for help. It also includes promoting programs and activities that lead to positive social connections and support.
If you notice warning signs, don’t be afraid to ask if they want to talk to their mental health provider about suicide prevention strategies, including a type of talk therapy called dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) that has been proven effective. Limiting access to lethal means is another important strategy that many suicide attempts are impulsive, so asking about removing medicines or firearms from their environment can help decrease their risk. In addition, reducing stigma around mental disorders is crucial.
3. Make a Safety Plan
A Safety Plan is a practical tool to help someone manage suicidal thoughts and urges. This is different from a wellbeing plan or a plan to improve mood as it focuses on managing the current risk and not changing long term behaviours.
It helps people identify warning signs, like changes in thinking or behaviour, that indicate a suicide crisis is about to happen. This may include thoughts of death or isolating themselves from friends and family, or a specific trigger, such as the end of a relationship or loss of a loved one. They also identify internal coping or distraction strategies, such as listening to music, going for a walk, having a bath, or journaling that can be used in a moment of crisis.
They then create a list of emergency contacts, such as their GP, mental health professional, wellbeing worker or emergency services, and put these in their Safety Plan. They might also include contact details for a psychiatric crisis service or free emergency apps, such as Beyond Now.
4. Keep them Safe
Suicide is a serious risk factor for many mental illnesses, especially depression. It’s important to know the warning signs of suicide and what to do if someone you love is showing them.
Keeping people safe from suicide includes limiting access to lethal means and helping them develop skills to cope with distressing situations. Family members can help by removing or locking up guns, knives and other dangerous items from the home.
Health care professionals can also help by identifying individuals who are at risk for suicide and linking them to behavioral health services. They can also provide medication management, psychosocial support and safety planning.
Faith communities can help by providing spiritual beliefs and practices that promote hope and healing. In addition, they can educate congregations and community leaders on how to support people in distress. They can also offer support groups, crisis intervention and peer-support programs. These efforts should be combined with suicide prevention strategies at the individual, system and community levels.