World Suicide Prevention Day

• Has attempted suicide previously
• A history of depression or another mental illness
• Suffering from a serious illness such as chronic pain or cancer
• Financial problems or loss of a job
• Personality has become aggressive or impulsive
• Struggling and in need of substance abuse treatment
• Current or prior history of childhood trauma
• Expressing feelings of hopelessness
• Victims of violence or committing violent acts

These individual risk factors can be addressed by helping at-risk people learn effective coping and problem-solving skills, having them consider their reasons for staying alive, and learning to appreciate their cultural identity.

• Being bullied
• Family history of suicide
• Relationships lost
• Isolating from friends and family

These relationship factors can be mitigated through healthy relationships such as support from partners, family, and friends which will help provide a feeling of connection to others.

• Difficulty accessing healthcare
• A group of suicides in the community
• Stress from “culture shock” adjustment
• Prevalence of violence in the community
• Bias and intolerance in the community

Supportive experiences can provide a connection to school, community, and other social groups. Easily accessible behavioral and physical healthcare can help address the possible causes of suicidal ideations.

• Embarrassment and shame about getting help at a dual diagnosis treatment center
• Easy access to lethal methods of suicide
• Unsafe representations of suicide in the media

These societal factors can be eased through supportive community services such as providing easily available healthcare and a feeling of connection to the community, school, and other social institutions.

Giving a suicidal person the opportunity to share their feelings can provide the relief they need. You could start the conversation simply by reminding them that you are concerned about them and asking if there’s something bothering them.

You need to determine if they’re in immediate danger. You can ask these questions to help you assess the risk.

• Do you have a suicide plan?
• Do you have the means to carry out your plan?
• Did you decide when to do it?
• Do you want to end your life?

Low-risk level

• Some thoughts of suicide
• Has not formed a plan
• Says they aren’t going to attempt suicide

Moderate risk-level

• Has suicidal thoughts
• Doesn’t have a definite plan
• Says they won’t attempt suicide

High-risk level

• Has suicidal thoughts
• Has made a definite plan
• Says they aren’t going to attempt suicide

Severe risk level

• Has suicidal thoughts
• Has made a definite plan
• Says they are going to attempt suicide

Even though it’s challenging to your emotions, don’t personally take on the responsibility for making the person better. Give support, but realize that only the person can decide to get help and participate in treatment. You can offer support by:

• Helping them find professional help
• Encouraging them to go to treatment
• Calling and visiting without waiting for them to ask
• Promoting lifestyle changes that will have a positive effect such as a healthy diet and going outdoors

Make a safety plan by helping them recognize triggers and following the steps that are the most helpful. Make sure you include numbers for the following:

• The therapist (if applicable)
• Crisis center
• Suicide prevention hotline
• Any contacts that may be able to help in an emergency
• Continue to support the person for the long haul

• The online Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALMS) offers a course that is free of charge at Zero Suicide Training.
• Similarly, the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC Training) also provides in-person training and online courses, webinars, and other virtual learning. Online courses are open to everyone and free.
• Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE) provides valuable tools to community leaders to help prevent suicide.

Although the focus is on raising awareness, it’s still easy to join in to support others in your community who have been touched by suicide. But that support is needed all year whether you’re directly helping someone in need or not.

Share what you’ve learned about suicide prevention and suicide on social media and with other people in person. This will help reduce the stigma many experience around the issue.

Keep the conversation going with family and friends about the need for increased awareness and support.

Give time and/or money to agencies that work to provide services and support for people who need it.

Become an advocate for:

• Funding for research for suicide prevention counseling
• Stricter firearms laws
• More accessible healthcare
• Mobile crisis services as an alternative to law enforcement

It’s essential for everyone to be aware of some early warning signs as a first step in suicide prevention. Always take them seriously.

• They always talk about suicide
• They look for ways to get pills, guns, knives, etc.
• They have a preoccupation with death
• They have unexpected mood swings or personality changes
• They exhibit signs of hating themself
• They neglect their appearance
• They appear to feel hopeless
• There are changes to their eating and sleeping habits
• They say goodbye to people they’re close to
• They isolate from others
• They demonstrate self-destructive behaviors