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Be attentive and reach out to the person. Take the person seriously and listen carefully. Remain objective and non-judgmental. Assure the person that something can be done. Never promise to keep it a secret. Their life is too important.
Be aware of the risk factors and warning signs. Ask the person directly about any intentions of suicide. Discuss suicide openly and honestly.
Offer support and encourage hope. Focus on the person’s strengths. Agree to go get help with them. Don’t take on their problems; try to help connect them with someone who can support them. Take all threats seriously.
Share responsibility by involving family, close friends, a family doctor, clergy, and/or other support services. Check in by phone, text or e-mail.
You can help others by being informed about how to safely talk about suicide. For more information on training to prepare yourself to have conversations around suicide, check out the SafeTALK and/or ASIST training through LivingWorks.
Source: Waterloo Region Suicide Prevention Council https://wrspc.ca/supporting-others/how-can-i-help-someone-i-love/
(The responses to the following questions will enable you to reflect back your concern to the person and/or communicate to a trained professional.)
Source: Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention https://suicideprevention.ca/im-concerned-about-someone
Source: International Association of Suicide Prevention http://www.iasp.info/resources/Helping_Someone