How You Can Help Prevent Suicide
If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. You can reach trained counselors at 988 via talk, text, or chat.
September is National Suicide Prevention Month and September 9 – 13 is Construction Suicide Prevention Week.
The statistics are well known. The age-adjusted rate of suicide in 2021 was 14 out of every 100,000 people. In construction, the CDC reports the number is closer to 53 suicides per 100,000 workers. While suicide prevention may seem like a daunting challenge, there are many ways that each of us can play a role in saving lives. Here are some concrete steps you can take:
Learn the Warning Signs of Suicide
Being able to recognize the warning signs of suicide is the first step in prevention.
Some common warning signs include:
- Talking about wanting to die or kill themselves
- Looking for ways to kill themselves, like searching online or buying guns
- Feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
- Feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
- Talking about being a burden to others
- Increasing use of alcohol or drugs
- Acting anxious or agitated
- Withdrawing from family and friends
- Changing eating and sleeping habits or personal grooming
- Taking risks that could lead to death, such as reckless driving
- Giving away prized possessions
- Saying goodbye to loved ones
- Putting affairs in order, making a will
If you notice these warning signs in someone you know, it’s important to take them seriously and act quickly.
Check in and Listen
One of the most impactful things you can do is simply reach out and have an open, non-judgmental conversation with someone you’re worried about. Let them know you care and are there to listen without trying to fix their problems. Ask direct questions like, “Are you thinking of killing yourself?” “You seem troubled. Do you want to talk?” “I’ve noticed you are not yourself. I care about you. Can we talk?” Avoid minimizing their feelings or trying to give advice. The goal is to make them feel heard and supported. People sometimes worry that asking someone if they are thinking of suicide will cause harm. In fact, the opposite is true. Research has shown that asking someone that question will not cause them to act and may help save their life.
Encourage Them to Seek Help
Once you’ve established that someone is having suicidal thoughts, the next step is to encourage them to seek professional help. Suggest they talk to a mental health counselor, call, text, or chat the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or visit their doctor. You can even offer to help them make an appointment or go with them. Removing barriers to getting support can make a significant difference.
Remove Means of Harm
If someone is actively suicidal, it’s important to remove any potential means of self-harm from their immediate environment, such as guns, medications, or other weapons. This can create critical time and space for the person to reconsider and get the help they need. It is also critically important to guard your safety.
Stay in Touch
Keeping the channels of communication open is important. Checking in on the individual, sending a text or making a call, or offering to meet for coffee are simple ways to demonstrate to the individual that they matter. These actions also contribute to normalizing and removing the stigma of seeking care for mental well-being.
Take Care of Yourself
Supporting someone who is suicidal can be emotionally draining. Make sure to also take care of your own mental health by setting boundaries, seeking support from others, and practicing self-care. Your well-being is just as important.
Preventing suicide is possible, and each of us has the power to make a difference. By learning the signs, showing compassion, and connecting people to resources, we can save lives and support those struggling. Together, we can build a society where no one must face suicidal thoughts alone.
If you are interested in training to earn a certificate in Mental Health First Aid, LCI has partnered with Beneath the Brave to offer a course that will give you the skills you need to recognize the signs that someone may be considering self-harm and provide the appropriate support. You can learn more and register for this course that is open to LCI participants only here.
The information provided in this article is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis or considering suicide, it is important to seek immediate help from a qualified healthcare professional or call 988, the suicide prevention hotline. While this article offers suggestions on actions that may help prevent suicide, it cannot address every individual situation. Please consult with a healthcare provider for personalized advice and support.