Suicide CAN be prevented ...
The information below is Compliments of the American Association of Suicidology and the Schuylkill County Suicide Prevention Task Force
What you can say ...
- Be Direct ... Talk openly and matter-of-factly about suicide.
- Be Willing to Listen ... Allow expressions of feelings, accept feelings.
- Be Non-Judgmental ... Don't debate whether suicide is right or wrong, or feelings are good or bad. Don't lecture on the value of life.
- Get Involved ... Become available. show interest and support
- Don't Dare ... him/her to do it.
- Don't Act Shocked ... this will put distance between you
- Don't Be Sworn to Secrecy ... seek support and help
- Offer Hope ... that alternatives are available but do not offer glib reassurance
- Take Action ... Remove means, such as guns or stockpiled pills
- Get Help ... from persons or agencies specializing in crisis intervention and suicide prevention