One warning sign may or may not signal trouble. More than one sign often means that some help is necessary. Notice how long the signs have been present, how deeply the person feels about things going wrong in his or her life and how many signs are present at one time.
Is the person?
- seriously depressed
- increasingly isolated
- giving away prized possessions
- doing poorly in school or work
- making statements about wanting to die
- acting in a violent fashion
- taking unnecessary risks
- using terminal statements like, I want to die! or I won't have to worry about that anymore!
- suddenly happy for no reason after a long depression
- abusing drugs or alcohol
Risk Factors
Has the person undergone one or more of the following situations:
- significant loss
- changes in lifestyle/finances
- impending legal action
- recent imprisonment or upcoming release
- physical, emotional, or sexual abuse
- chronic illness
- previous suicide attempts
- self-mutilation (cutting, burning, carving)
Also, do they have a family history of mental illness/suicide? Do they have social stressors (problems with work/school/home/social life)? Do they have access to firearms?
What you can do to help a depressed or suicidal friend:
- Take suicide threats seriously.
- Ask questions.
- Ask your friend if he or she has ever felt this bad before, how did he or she handle the situation.
- Be non-judgmental and validate your friend's feelings.
- Be especially concerned if your friend takes alcohol or drugs because their judgment will be impaired.
- ASK THEM THE QUESTION ARE YOU HAVING THOUGHTS OF SUICIDE?
Be specific and direct.
• Give your friend a hotline number (Local: 719-596-LIFE, National:
1-800-SUICIDE) and make sure your friend calls.
- Stay with the depressed person.
- If your friend is a teen and is suicidal and refuses to get help, tell a responsible adult as soon as possible.
- Make a specific plan.
- Offer hope that alternatives are available.
- Take action: remove means such as guns or pills.
What to say:
• I'm here for you.
- I want to hear about what's bothering you.
- I really care about you. Let's talk and figure out how to make things better.
- Things are tough now, but you've got to hang in there and I'm here to help.
- I would feel horrible if you hurt yourself and I don't want you to die.
No one and nothing is worth taking your life for.
- I hate to see you suffering like this--let' think about where we could go to get some help.
What not to do:
- Don't keep suicide threats a secret.
- Don't ignore your friend.
- Don't put your friend down.
- Don't hange the subject.
- Don't try to handle it alone if your friend doesn't respond to your effort to help.
- Don't minimize the problem.
- Don't suggest alcohol or drugs as a solution. Most teens complete suicide while taking a chemical (alcohol or drugs).
- Don't act shocked or condemn.
- Don't make promises that you can not keep.
- Don't point out how much better off they are than others.
- Don't interject your own problems and feelings.
- Don't minimize the person's feeling and don't offer simple solutions.
- Don't leave the person alone.
- Don't try to be a therapist, get professional help.
Suicide Prevention Partnership Treatment Program
SPP has a mental health treatment program available for all El Paso and Teller County residents, as well as individuals outside our community who may not have access to mental health care in their community. The program aims to reach individuals who are unable to receive counseling services due to financial difficulties. If you, or anyone you know is at risk for suicide or suffering from issues surrounding suicide, please contact the Suicide Prevention Partnership at 719-573-7447 to be authorized for treatment. For more information ....
