Suicide Prevention

If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts with intent

Talk to someone, and get immediate help.

Call the Crisis Line: 1-888-568-1112 - They are staffed with professionals that can help you.  Don't wait, get help.

Go to the emergency room - If you go to the emergency room and tell them you are feeling suicidal and have a plan, then they can ensure your safety and call crisis to get you the support you need.  

If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts without intent or plan

• • Talk to someone - Suicidal thoughts are scary, for you, for others, and so we tend to want to ignore them.  It's important to talk about them. If you don't feel like you can talk to friends or family, come to the counseling center, go to health services, call the crisis line  (1-888-568-1112). You can also talk to a chaplain or other spiritual leader, a teacher, your doctor.  There are lots of options.

  • Make yourself safe - If you are concerned you may hurt yourself, make a plan for safety.  Have a friend stay with you, go home, lock up all sharp objects or weapons, get rid of any pills or other drugs that may be in your living space. 

  • Avoid using drugs or alcohol to make the thoughts stop - It is easy enough to overdo this when we are experiencing a lot of pain.  Often times, after using, we feel worse and this can increase the depression and the thoughts. 

  • Prepare for the bad times-  If you know that a particular difficult time is coming up and suicidal thoughts may get triggered, prepare for it.  Who will be your contact people?  Make sure you are staying with others to keep you engaged.  Do things you love.  Stay busy. Make a plan to help you through the bad times.

  • Make an appointment - With your doctor, with health services, with the counseling center.  You do not have to be alone and all of the above are well trained in helping people who are experiencing the pain of suicidal thoughts.

If someone you know is having suicidal thoughts

• Stay calm and be present - If they are talking to you then they are reaching out.  Suspend judgment and be there for them.  If they haven't said the words but you suspect, ASK THEM.  "Do you feel suicidal?  Do you have plan?"  

• Know the resources that are available and ask for help - The Crisis line  (1-888-568-1112), is not only for those who are having suicidal thoughts, it is for those who are affected by knowing someone who is suicidal.  Offer to be with them when they call.  Know you can call on your own.  Be a support.

• Be yourself - You don't have to suddenly be a doctor or a counselor and come up with the right answers.  Let them know you are there for them.   Suicidal thoughts can be the most isolating thing they will ever experience.  Let them know they are not alone and do it in the way that is natural to you. 

• Talk to someone -  When we support people that we care about that are in a crisis,  we can often experience feelings of nervousness, sadness, helplessness and hopelessness.  Talking with others, professionals, peers, or mentors, will help you get back to your center and will allow you to be a better support to your friend or loved one.

• Suspend judgments -  It is easy for us to lose ourselves in our fears and start to either dismiss a person that says they are feeling suicidal or to come across as being angry at them for sharing their feelings.  We can come off as judgmental which is not helpful.  Remember, if someone is talking to you about this, it is serious.  Don't minimize it or scold them for the ways they think and feel. Just tell them and show them you care and that you are there for them. 

Important Factors 

Information below taken from National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and adapted from "Understanding Risk and Protective Factors for Suicide” and “Risk and protective factors for suicide" by the Suicide Prevention Resource Center.

Risk Factors: 

• Mental health disorders, particularly mood disorders, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders and certain personality disorders

• Alcohol and other substance use disorders

• Hopelessness

• Impulsive and/or aggressive tendencies

• History of trauma or abuse

• Major physical illnesses

• Previous suicide attempt

• Family history of suicide

• Job or financial loss

• Loss of relationship

• Easy access to lethal means

• Local clusters of suicide

• Lack of social support and sense of isolation

• Stigma associated with asking for help

• Lack of health care, especially mental health and substance abuse treatment

• Cultural and religious beliefs, such as the belief that suicide is a noble resolution of a personal dilemma

• Exposure to others who have died by suicide (in real life or via the media and Internet)

Protective Factors: 

• Effective clinical care for mental, physical and substance use disorders

• Easy access to a variety of clinical interventions

• Restricted access to highly lethal means of suicide

• Strong connections to family and community support

• Support through ongoing medical and mental health care relationships

• Skills in problem solving, conflict resolution and handling problems in a non-violent way

• Cultural and religious beliefs that discourage suicide and support self-preservation