How to Help Someone Who is Having Thoughts of Suicide
Action Steps and Guidance to Help Someone
Ask them “Are you thinking about suicide?”
It’s not an easy question to ask. Yet it can help start a conversation. Studies show that when you ask a person if they are suicidal it does not increase suicidal behavior or thoughts.
Listen to them without judgment.
This is key to learn about what the person thinks and feels. Research suggests that when you acknowledge and talk about suicide it may reduce suicidal thoughts.
It’s important to ask a person about suicide and make sure they have less access to lethal means. This can help them stay safe when they are having suicidal thoughts.
This gives them a safety net when they need it most. You can also help them reach out to trusted people they know. This may include family members, friends, religious or spiritual advisors, or mental health professionals.
Stay in touch with a person after a crisis.
This can make a difference. Studies show that supportive, ongoing contact can play an important role in suicide prevention.
- If a person expresses suicidal thoughts or behaviors
- If a person has other mental health crises (anxiety, depression, etc.) If a person expresses paranoia
- If a person expresses abusive behavior
- If a person has ongoing substance use concerns
Call 911 if a person:
- is threatening to hurt themselves or others • needs emergency medical attention
- may have overdosed on a substance or mediation
Call 911 if a person:
- is threatening to hurt themselves or others • needs emergency medical attention
- may have overdosed on a substance or mediation
Say “I need help for a mental health crisis.”
Describe the person’s mental state:
- “They are not violent, but they are in emotional distress.”
- “They are talking about suicide and need help.”
- “They are confused, disoriented, and might hurt themselves.”
- “They are unarmed. They are not violent.”
Ask “Can you send someone who is trained in mental health crisis management?”
Resources on How to Help People
- National Institute of Mental Health
- Brief guide that lists five action steps you can take to help someone when they have thoughts of suicide.
View Resource - American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
- List of simple action steps you can take to talk with someone who is at risk for suicide.
View Resource - 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
- Free, confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the U.S. and its territories.
View Resource - NC S.A.F.E.
- North Carolina’s statewide initiative to raise awareness of the importance of safe firearm storage. It provides resources and best practices for firearm storage and safety.
View Resource - QPR Institute
- QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer. People trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help.
View Resource - National Child Traumatic Stress Network
- Fact sheet for youth ages 12 and up that provides guidance on how to talk about suicide with friends and peers.
View Resource - 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
- Helpful glossary of terms and language around mental health and suicide prevention.
View Resource
Courses
Free courses to learn about action steps, data, and how to help when a person has thoughts of suicide.
- CALM: Counseling on Access to Lethal Means
- This is a free, self-paced, online course for health care and social services providers. CALM can help you feel prepared to talk with a person about how to keep them safe from lethal means. The term lethal means refers to objects or means used to carry out harm to oneself. This may include firearms, medicines, and bridges, for example.
View Course