Suicide Prevention LIfeline

800-273-8255

PROFESSIONAL TRAININGS

Suicide Prevention Training Online

Click the date above to register for the training.

Suicide Prevention

Talking to a Person Who May be Suicidal

Remain calm and choose a private place to talk .

Use “I” statements to talk about what you have noticed.

Use a direct approach, Ask:

“Are you thinking of killing yourself?” or “Are you thinking of suicide?”

Listen and speak non-judgmentally

Don’t get angry, minimize, ignore, lecture, threaten, debate or moralize.

Don’t try to counsel them but refer them to resources in this brochure.

If they say they are thinking of suicide, ask:

“Do you have a specific plan?”

“Do you have the means to do it?”

“Have you thought about when you would do it?”

If the person has a plan and/or access to means, do not leave them alone and urge them to seek help immediately:

Call 911 and/or the National Suicide Prevention Lifelines 1-800-273-8255

Accompany them to the nearest hospital emergency department.

Seek immediate help from a mental health provider.

Urge them to temporarily remove lethal means (guns, pills, etc.) from their home

Maintain contact to provide follow-up support.

If they say they are not thinking suicide

Keep probing if you remain concerned.

Let them know that you would want to help them if they ever do have thoughts of suicide.

Do NOT express relief or say “Good!” if the person says they are not suicidal. If they actually are feeling suicidal, they may think you don’t really want to know.

Encourage them to contact a mental health provider.

Give them the National Hotline number and ask them to download the Lifeguard app.

Maintain contact to provide support and encouragement.

Warning Signs: Changes in Behavior

  • Increased or inappropriate anger or rage
  • Excessive guilt or shame
  • Severe depression or anxiety
  • Extreme mood swings
  • Suddenly becoming cheerful after a period of depression
  • Talking about:
  • Feeling hopeless
  • Feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
  • Being a burden to others

Warning Signs: Changes in Mood

  • Withdrawing or isolating from friends and family
  • Talking, reading, or writing about death or suicide
  • Saying goodbye at times or in ways that are out of character
  • Giving away prized possessions
  • Getting affairs in order
  • Increased alcohol or other drug use
  • Changes in work or school performance
  • Impulsive, self-destructive or reckless behavior

Risk Factors

Loss of relationship; divorce, breakup
Death of a family member or friend
Job loss, failing grades in school
Family history of suicide
Crisis in the immediate past or future
Physical health problems
Legal problems
Loss of housing
Excessive substance use

Resources

Learn More

About Us

The Missouri Institute of Mental Health’s (MIMH) mission is to improve and transform mental health outcomes through innovative research and program development, program evaluation, community outreach, and professional training. Our target population is incredibly varied based on the wide scope of work performed. A broad definition would be any individual impacted by, at risk for, or living with a mental illness, behavioral health condition, traumatic brain injury, or HIV/AIDS, as well as all sectors who work with these individuals from policy-makers to funders to direct-service workers.