How Can You Save Someone Who Wants to Commit Suicide?

Every single person who has ever committed suicide could have been saved. Everyone who you think might be considering committing suicide can still be helped. All you need to do is talk to them about it!

How to talk to a friend who is thinking about committing suicide:

1. Many suicidal people want to tell others around them about their problems and intentions. However, they may find that other people become uncomfortable. This makes them reluctant to discuss their concerns as it may increase others’ distress.
2. There is a common misconception that asking a person if he or she is suicidal might suggest the idea to the individual. Many people conclude that it might be better to avoid the topic. They may even go as far as to ignore the warning signs of suicide altogether.
3. On the contrary, asking depressed or troubled individuals direct questions about whether they are considering suicide does not increase the likelihood that they will act on these thoughts.
4. You can also encourage the person to consider reasons for living. This will shift their focus away from death, and towards life. In any case, having an opportunity to talk about suicidal feelings is important for the person. This is done in order to develop some perspective on the situation and gain a sense of control as well.
5. Mental health professionals or therapists may use cognitive-behavioral techniques to help the individual gain control over suicidal feelings. The key idea is thinking of alternative ways to deal with the stress that is making them consider committing suicide.
6. Mental health professionals follow through on this idea by establishing a formal connection to the suicidal individual by way of a contract. This contract is a two-way agreement in which the client promises to contact the doctor on experiencing suicidal impulses. The doctor, in turn, agrees to be available in the event of such a crisis. If a client will not agree to these conditions, the doctor is likely to consider having the client hospitalized.
7. Showing care, attention, and concern to the person is of extreme importance.

Conclusion

We may thus conclude that talking about suicide to people who might be considering it wouldn’t harm them. Rather, it will help them discuss what they are experiencing. This will also give them the opportunity to ask for the help they need! Do let us know your views and comments on what to say to a suicidal person. We look forward to hearing from you.

To peek into the mind of someone who wants to commit suicide, click here. You can also help somebody who you think is considering suicide by clicking here.

Originally published at blog.mindsolace.com on June 18, 2017.