What to Do if Someone You Love Needs Help

Major Warning Signs Someone May Attempt Suicide Include:

Do your best to invest in your close relationships so you can more easily notice when something is off.

It is sometimes the case that a person who has been depressed or in crisis for a long time will suddenly become calm or upbeat if they have decided to attempt suicide.

How to Intervene and Provide Support

1. Begin by Asking

• “Do you ever feel so bad that you think about suicide?”
• “Do you have a plan to kill yourself or take your life?”
• “Have you thought about when you would do it (today, tomorrow, next week)?”
• “Have you thought about what method you would use?”

2. Keep Calm and Trust Yourself

The first thing to know is that your intervention is already a big step toward keeping your loved one safe.

3. Press Pause on Tough Love

Trying to shame a suicidal person into changing their mind will only make things worse.

4. Remain Engaged

5. Seek Professional Help

6. Don’t Try to Do it Alone

The crisis period is the most important time to provide consistent support and reduce access to lethal means.

7. Recognize When It’s an Emergency

Suicide may be prevented if loved ones are able to notice and quickly take action.