How to help someone who may be suicidal
If someone you know:
- threatens suicide
- talks about wanting to die
- shows changes in behaviour, appearance, or mood
- abuses drugs and/or alcohol
- deliberately injures themselves
- appears depressed, sad, withdrawn…
You can help!
- stay calm and listen
- let the person talk about their feelings
- be accepting- do not judge
- ask if the person is having suicidal thoughts
- take all threats of suicide seriously
- do not swear secrecy- tell someone
Get help- you can’t do it alone.
Contact your:
- family, friends, relatives
- clergy, teachers, counsellors
- family doctor
- local or national crisis lines
- mental health services
- hospital emergency department
Click here for a wallet-sized card with these instructions.
Click here for a list of crisis centres worldwide
Please note, the Centre for Suicide Prevention is not a crisis centre, we are an education centre. Please contact a crisis centre if you or someone you know is in distress.