How to help a person with suicidal thoughts?

Suicide is a complicated and delicate subject to tackle. And even more so when it comes to a relative or close person. That is why many cries for help go unnoticed. Here are some tips on how to offer your support to people who are at risk of suicide.

1. Listen to her it is a key aspect in suicide prevention. Try to detect signs that indicate possible suicidal thoughts. It is important to listen authentically and show a lot of patience.
2. Let express. It allows the suicidal person to express their feelings, emotions and thoughts without judging or trying to convince them at all costs that life is precious. There are times when an overly optimistic attitude can be frustrating for someone who is having a bad time, not feeling really heard.
3. Ask about the reasons that have led the person to contemplate suicide.
4. Validate the experience of the other, do not minimize. Offering words of support and showing that you are concerned is also critical. The suicidal person needs to know that their existence matters to others.
5. Do not panic. A suicidal person is emotionally vulnerable and needs strong support.
6. Take it seriously. Suicidal thoughts must be taken seriously. Research has shown that the vast majority of people who commit suicide directly or indirectly communicate their intentions in the days before.
7. Maintain a respectful conduct. Do not get into moralistic debates about whether it is okay or not to commit suicide, whether it is fair or not, etc.
8. Ask about what would happen if that person ends their life (family, friends, aspirations, etc.).
9. Consider the possibilities of solving the problem and if there is no solution, provide emotional support.
10. Asking what aspects of your life help you avoid committing suicide and emphasize those positives. It is important to get the person himself to verbalize reasons for living. Therefore, it is recommended to ask questions instead of assuming or stating things.
11. Speak openly. Suicide is a taboo subject that must be broken. It is common to believe that talking about suicide will encourage action, but it is a totally wrong idea. Ask the person directly, bluntly: "Do you feel so bad that you are thinking about killing yourself?" If yes, ask: "Have you thought about how you would do it?" If the answer is yes, ask: "Have you thought about when and where you would do it?" You need to know exactly what is going through the suicidal person's head. The more elaborate and detailed the plan, the greater the risk. If the person answered yes to all three questions, call an emergency center or hospital right away. There are also specialized services in crisis intervention and suicide prevention.
12. Do not leave the suicidal person alone. It is important to organize a plan so that the person is safe.
13. Help the person make an appointment with a psychologist or psychiatrist. When a person presents suicidal ideas, they must be treated by professionals who are trained to carry out an adequate intervention. This is very important. Don't try to go it alone.
14. Under no circumstances should you keep a suicide confession secret. For now, when it comes to someone's life, you have to act.

by Jasmine murga