Ways to be Help Someone Who is Contemplating Suicide

• Talking about suicide does not cause someont to be suicidal
• Be aware - Learn the warning signs
• Get involved - Become available and show interest and support
• Ask if he/she is thinking about suicide
• Be direct - Talk openly and freely about suicide
• Be willing to listen - Allow for expressions of feelings and accept the 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
• Don’t dare him/her to do it
• Don’t give advice by making decisions for someone else to tell them to behave differently
• Don’t ask “why” as this encourages defensiveness
• Offer empathy, not sympathy
• Don’t act shocked as this creates distance
• Don’t be sworn to secrecy and seek support
• Offer hope that alternatives are available
• Take action - Remove means such as available firearms or stockpiled pills
• Encourage them to talk to someone by contacting:
  • a suicide prevention/crisis intervention center
  • a private therapist
  • a religious/spiritual leader
  • a community mental health agency
  • a school counselor or psychologist
  • a family physician
• Make a referral to Second Wind Fund of Metro Denver

The information on this page has been adapted from the following sources:

American Association of Suicidology website: “Youth Suicide Fact Sheet”
American Association of Suicidology website: “Some Facts About Suicide in the U.S.A.”
American Association of Suicidology website: “Understanding and Helping the Individual”
State of Colorado Office of Suicide Prevention. Recent data provided by the Office of Suicide Prevention via correspondence.
The Colorado Trust, “Suicide in Colorado.”
State of Colorado Suicide Prevention and Intervention Plan, The Report of the Governor’s Suicide Prevention Advisory Commission. November 1998.