0203 James Hall
718-951-5363
How You Can Help a
Suicidal Person
College is a huge adjustment
for most people regardless of their age or background. For some, this transition is more stressful than
for others. If you have noticed changes
in someone you know that concern you, you can help. You may be aware of troubling signs that
something is wrong with a friend that relatives, professors and others may not
detect.
Some warning signs demand immediate action:
·
Declaring a plan
to hurt or kill him or herself
·
Talking, writing,
or drawing about suicide, death or violence
·
Saying things
like: “I wish I were dead”, “I’m going
to end it all”, “What’s the point of living?”, “Soon you won’t have to worry about
me”, “Who cares if I’m dead?”
·
Staying alone
rather than seeking the company of friends or relatives
·
Sudden mood
swings, depression, or saying that life is meaningless
·
Giving away
prized possessions
·
Talking about
reuniting with a deceased loved one
·
Neglecting
appearance or hygiene
·
Obtaining a
weapon or another means of hurting him or herself (such as prescription
medication).
·
Suddenly
neglecting school assignments or frequently cutting class
·
A fascination
with violence, weapons, or violent movies and video games
·
Risk-taking such
as reckless driving, carelessness around balconies or in traffic, or having
“accidents” that result in injury
Certain people are at higher risk
for suicide, such as those individuals:
How Can You Help?
If you think that any of your friends or classmates might be thinking
about hurting themselves, there are two important things you can do:
Talk to them. Ask
them if they are thinking about hurting themselves. You may have to be persistent before they are
willing to talk. Listen non-judgmentally
and don’t pretend you have the answers. Talking
about suicide will NOT push someone to kill themselves. Express your concern for the person. Suicidal people often feel as though no one
understands them or that they aren’t taken seriously. Talking through feelings may help a friend
recognize the need for professional help.
Always take any intention, feelings or suicidal behaviors very seriously: It is also not true that people who talk
about killing themselves will not actually try it. You should be especially concerned if people
tell you that they have made a detailed suicide plan or know of a way to hurt themselves. Don’t
leave them alone. The most important thing
you can do may be to help them find help.
NEVER promise to keep someone’s intention to kill him or herself a
secret. Develop a plan for help with the person.
Express your concern to a responsible
adult. Find someone who is concerned with and understands
young people and can help such as a teacher, counselor, coach, a member of your
friend’s family, or a religious leader. If
you think your friend is in danger, but they refuse to get help, or, if you
don’t feel that you know the person well enough, you should speak to an adult
that can intervene.
Don’t be afraid of being wrong.
It is difficult even for experts to understand who is at serious risk of
suicide and who is not. Surprisingly, the
risk for suicide can sometimes increase as a person begins to recover from
depression, and people considering suicide might actually seem calmer or
happier. Many of the warning signs for
suicide could also indicate problems with drug or alcohol abuse, domestic
violence, depression, or another mental illness. People with these problems need help, too.
If you are thinking of hurting yourself, immediately tell someone who
can help. If you cannot talk to your
parents, find someone else: a relative, a friend, or someone in personal
counseling.
Resources for More Help
If
the danger is immediate, always call 911.
Call any of the 24/7 hotlines: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800)
273-TALK (8255)
Samaritans of NY - 212-673-3000
24-hour hotline - 212-532-2400
1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)
Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-621-HOPE (24-hour)
Go Ask
Ulifeline.org
http://www.ulifeline.org
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline http://suicidepreventionlifeline.org
Find us on the Web at pc.brooklyn.cuny.edu