You Can Help
When you think someone is considering suicide:
Trust your gut. Trust your judgment.
Reach out. Ask questions.
Listen. Being a good listener can save a life.
Let the person know you care and that you want to help.
Speak out. Get others involved. Contact any adult you trust (parent, minister, teacher, coach, or counselor).
Do NOT keep the secret; do not worry about loyalty. Get help.
If the person has an immediate plan, DO NOT LEAVE this person alone to get help. It is important to stay with them and call for help together. Call your local crisis hotline (774-HELP in the greater Portland, ME area), Emergency 911, or a Mental Health Center.
Take care of yourself. You are not responsible for the ultimate decision of someone else. Never.
It is OK to Ask Questions
Do anything to get the person to start talking about the situation.
"How are you feeling?"
"Are you thinking about suicide?"
"What can I do to help you work through these thoughts?"
"What is your plan for hurting yourself?"
Persuade the Person to Get Help
Saying these things can help convince the person that they need to talk to someone.
"Think about those who love you and will miss you. I would be happy to make a call for you or go with you to speak to them."
"Come with me and we'll find help."
Call for Help
Once they know they need help, call for it quickly.
"I'm happy to listen, but we need to go to an adult for help."
"Who is it you'd like me to contact?"
"Let's call the crisis line."
Adolescent Suicide Myths and Facts
Not understanding the difference between the myths and the facts may keep us from helping someone in need.
Myth: People who talk about suicide won't actually kill themselves. Fact: Many people who talk of suicide do not do it, but of those who complete suicide, more than 90% send clues or signals asking for help. Any reference to suicide indicates pain and should be taken seriously.
Myth: Questioning someone else about suicide will encourage a person to do it. Fact: People in enough pain to consider suicide are desperate to talk with someone who is genuinely concerned and willing to listen. An open, honest conversation will not push someone over the edge. It is more likely to lower anxiety and lower the risk of an impulsive act.
Myth: Most young people who attempt suicide really want to die. Fact: What they almost always want is for their life or some part of their life to be different. They want to stop the pain.
Myth: Youth suicide and suicide attempts are rare. Fact: Suicides and suicide
attempts in young people ages 10-24 are a problem in Maine and throughout the United States. Almost always, it is friends and classmates who first recognize that trouble is brewing. You may know even before family members or school staff. All of us can learn to reach out and speak out for help in preventing this tragedy.
