What Can You Do? Trust your instincts that the person may be in trouble Talk with the person about your concerns and LISTEN to them Ask direct questions without judging them Determine if the person has a specific plan- having a detailed plan means a greater risk Get professional help, even if the person resists Stay with a person who feels suicidal until professional help comes – Don’t leave them alone How to Get Help Doctor, counselor, community mental health agency Clergy or spiritual leader (in some cultures) Law enforcement (call 911 for emergency) Police can take a person to the hospital involuntarily (against their will) if they are a danger to themselves or others Can call telephone hotlines, crisis and resource information lines (like 211), or a nurse advisor if you are not sure what to do 1-800-273-TALK or 1-800-273-8255 1-800-SUICIDE or 1-800-784-2433 More Ways to Improve Hope Reach out to others for support. Then, be willing to help others when you are feeling better Identify what you feel hopeless about - Is it negative or irrational thinking that you can be changed? Talk about it and release blocked feelings instead of “stuffing” your emotions inside Find connectedness/spirituality for strength to “let go of old baggage” from pain in your past Take control of your behaviors Break down problems into smaller parts to work on
What Can You Do? Trust your instincts that the person may be in trouble Talk with the person about your concerns and LISTEN to them Ask direct questions without judging them Determine if the person has a specific plan- having a detailed plan means a greater risk Get professional help, even if the person resists Stay with a person who feels suicidal until professional help comes – Don’t leave them alone How to Get Help Doctor, counselor, community mental health agency Clergy or spiritual leader (in some cultures) Law enforcement (call 911 for emergency) Police can take a person to the hospital involuntarily (against their will) if they are a danger to themselves or others Can call telephone hotlines, crisis and resource information lines (like 211), or a nurse advisor if you are not sure what to do 1-800-273-TALK or 1-800-273-8255 1-800-SUICIDE or 1-800-784-2433 More Ways to Improve Hope Reach out to others for support. Then, be willing to help others when you are feeling better Identify what you feel hopeless about - Is it negative or irrational thinking that you can be changed? Talk about it and release blocked feelings instead of “stuffing” your emotions inside Find connectedness/spirituality for strength to “let go of old baggage” from pain in your past Take control of your behaviors Break down problems into smaller parts to work on