World Suicide Prevention Day: How Can We Help and Support Those Who Are Suicidal?

Elly Llamada
Sep 10, 2021
9 min read

Updated: Mar 11, 2023

Content Warning: Mentions of suicide, self-harm, mental illnesses, lethal methods, and many more. Please do not continue reading if you are easily triggered.

As you may know, September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. While today is World Suicide Prevention Day.

As we are amid a pandemic in which suicidal cases are on the rise, it is more important than ever to raise awareness and to #BreakTheStigma surrounding suicide. Suicide Prevention Awareness involves more than simply understanding about it—it also requires knowing how to prevent it and talking about it honestly and compassionately. It is a cause on which we must all work together every day.

In this blog post, I will be sharing an exhaustive list of ways in which we can better advocate for this cause and assist those in need.

But, before we get there, here are some quick facts about World Suicide Prevention Day that you should be aware of.

World Suicide Prevention Day was established in 2003 in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and is a major advocacy and communication event aimed at reaching out to national organizations, governments, and the general public with the message that suicide can be prevented.

According to WHO:

Every year, over 800,000 individuals die by suicide around the world (one death every 40 seconds)

Low- and middle-income countries account for 77% of global suicides.

Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among 15 to 19-year-olds.

There are many more people who try suicide for every suicide. In the general population, the single most important risk factor for suicide is a previous suicide attempt.

Pesticide ingestion, hanging, and weapons are among the most popular ways to commit suicide in the world.

Resource: WHO

Data as of June 16, 2021

Suicide is a global phenomenon that affects people of all ages. It's difficult to tell, especially if they're not forthcoming about it. There are, however, warning signs that you can take note of.

What are the warning signs that someone is thinking of committing suicide?

A shift in someone's demeanor or behavior could indicate that they are contemplating suicide. When someone you know is acting strangely, you might be the best judge.

Warning signs include:

Feeling helpless or trapped
Having extreme mood fluctuations, such as being intensely elated one day and depressed the next
Acting dangerously, increasing alcohol or drug use, having unsafe sex, and other self-destructive behaviors
Changing one's typical routine, such as their eating or sleeping habits. They might be either eating and sleeping excessively or insufficiently.
Withdrawing from social contact and or refusing to interact with others.
Having a variety of issues at work or in school
Self-hatred, self-loathing, and/or negative self-talk
Changing your demeanor or getting overly worried or annoyed, particularly if you're experiencing some of the above warning signs

While here are a few factors that suggest that a person is more likely to attempt suicide:

Threatening to cause harm or death to themselves
Death-related preoccupation
Getting things in order as they are preparing to end their life
Trying to get lethal methods, such as weapons, pills, knives, or other items that could be used in a suicide attempt

It can be tough to recognize warning signs when anything is awry. For example, a cheerfulness that may appear phony to you or when they say something exceedingly terrifying while masked as a joke. If you have a bad feeling about someone, don't disregard it. Some people are reluctant to express their emotions.

NOTE: Any suicide talk or conduct should be taken seriously. It's a cry for help, not just a warning sign that the person is thinking about suicide.

What makes a person think of suicide then?

It could be due to internal factors such as having a mental health disease or mental illness like depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, etc., as well as a physical condition or terminal illness/chronic pain.

While external causes such as unpleasant and stressful life events, financial problems, and many others may also cause a person to think of suicide. Other potential risk factors include:

Alcoholism or drug abuse
Suicide attempts in the past, a family history of suicide, or a trauma or abuse history
Something painful or life-changing, such as the death of a loved one, or the end of a relationship
Anger at other people
Living alone or having minimal social contact with others
Hostile environment
And many more..

How can we help?

It can be upsetting when someone you know appears to be suicidal. You may be unsure what to do to offer support, whether or not your action will worsen the issue, or whether or not to take the discussion seriously. It can honestly be daunting. No worries, I am here to guide you through it.

First and foremost, let's go over some of the things you should not do or say to a suicidal person.

What won’t help someone who is feeling suicidal?

Refrain from giving unsolicited advice or trying to find an easy fix. Your intentions may be pure, but by attempting to solve their situation, you may be doing more harm than good. It would appear as if you're dismissing what they're going through.

Avoid saying the following phrases to them:

Cheer up
Pull yourself together
Man up
Snap out of it
You have so much to live for
You should be thankful to be able to live
Your family will suffer as a result of your suicide

Telling them those phrases would make them feel rejected, criticized, guilty, and a variety of other emotions. You should ensure that they feel heard and understood.

The 5 actions steps on how we can help

There are five action plans that are backed up by research in the field of suicide prevention. It is quite helpful for me not to include it.

Ask direct questions

Asking questions in a direct and unbiased approach enables for a meaningful and effective discussion about their emotional distress and can help them figure on what to do next.

Some people believe that discussing suicide will cause someone to consider it. This is not accurate. Asking suicidal people if they are suicidal does not increase the number of suicides or suicidal thoughts. Indeed, research suggests that addressing and discussing suicide can help people avoid suicidal ideation rather than exacerbate it.

Phrases you can use to jumpstart a conversation:

Recently, I have been feeling concerned for you.
I've observed some changes in you recently and was wondering how you're doing.
I just wanted to check in with you because you haven't appeared yourself recently

While these are just a few examples of direct questions:

When did you first notice that you were feeling this way?
Is there something that caused you to feel this way?
Do you ever feel as though you simply want to give up?
Do you have suicidal thoughts?
Have you ever thought about killing yourself or attempting self-harm?
Are you contemplating death?
Are you considering injuring yourself?
Do you have a plan to kill yourself?
Have you considered how or when you'd go about it?
Do you have any weapons or objects that you could use to hurt yourself?
Do you have everything you'll need to put your plan into action?
What is the greatest way for me to help you right now?
Have you considered seeking assistance?

Make sure to pay attention to their responses and don't dismiss them, especially if they show signs of suicidal ideation. When they're telling you what's going on, pay attention to their reasons for being in such emotional distress, as well as any possible reasons they want to live. Instead of imposing your reasons for living on them, help them focus on their own.

It might also help to:

Repeat their words in your own words back to them. This demonstrates that you are paying attention. Repeating information can also ensure that you have fully comprehended it.
Offer compassion by saying:
- I can't imagine how distressing this is for you, but I'd like to try to understand.
- I may not be able to fully comprehend your feelings, but I care about you and want to offer my support to you.
- I know things are looking bad right now, but when you're feeling overwhelmed, it's difficult to see viable answers.
- When you're ready to give up, tell yourself you'll give it one more day, hour, minute—whatever it takes.

You don't have to have all of the answers or understand why people feel the way they do to be helpful. At the absolute least, listening to what they have to say will show them that you care and that they are worthwhile.

Be There

Be there by lending a sympathetic ear. Tell them you genuinely care about them and that they are not alone in this situation. However, make certain that you are not primarily accepting responsibility as you offer your help and support. Allow them to take the initiative and make a personal commitment to recovery.

Although, if you've committed to helping and supporting them, make sure you'll follow through. If you know you won't be able to be physically present to help them during the process, find someone who is willing, competent, and suitable to be there instead. It might be a mental health professional, their parents, or anyone else they can fully trust and depend on.

Keep Them Safe

If you've determined suicide is being discussed, you'll need to learn a few things to ensure their immediate safety.

“Those at the highest risk for committing suicide shortly have a specific suicide PLAN, the MEANS to carry out the plan, a TIME SET for doing it, and an INTENTION to do it.”

The following questions can help you determine whether or not they are at immediate risk of suicide:

Do you have a specific, detailed plan? (PLAN)
Do you have what you need to carry out your plan (pills, guns, etc,)? (MEANS)
Do you know when you would do it? (TIME SET)
Do you intend to take your own life? (INTENTION)

Resource:

Smith, Melinda, et al. “Suicide Prevention.” HelpGuide.org, 15 July 2021

The answers to each of these questions are critical because they can inform us about the imminence and degree of risk, as well as their ability to carry out their plan.

You might not be able to make their worries go away, but you can support them by doing the following:

Make sure you don't leave them alone. Under no circumstances should a suicidal person be left alone
Seek professional help immediately or contact crisis lines as they’re trained to handle this type of situation
Assist them in developing a crisis strategy
Remove objects with which they can end their lives. Examples include:
- Sharp objects such as razor blades and knives
- Cleaning products
- Medications and or drugs
- Belts, cords, cables, rope, etc.

Help Them Connect

As I previously stated, assist them in finding someone who is willing, skilled, and appropriate to help them with their problem without passing judgment. Remind them that with treatment, they can recover.

If they are having persistent or recurring suicidal thoughts, encourage them to seek help from a therapist/psychiatrist, a family member, or a friend.
If they don't already have an appointment, help them make one and offer to accompany them or someone else instead if you can't.
Contact a lifeline or a crisis hotline.
Work with them to create a safety or crisis plan, which includes a documented list of effective coping strategies, a list of people to contact in the event of a crisis, and other items.

To figure out where to begin, you could ask them the following questions below:

Are they currently expecting a specific person to assist them in connecting health professionals?
Is this an option for them right now?
Are there any other mental health resources in the community that can provide effective assistance?

Follow Up

Make sure to check in on them every so often to see how they're doing. Reaching out to them can help them feel more connected while also letting them know that you are still there for them. It has been proved that having a sense of connectedness lowers the risk of suicide.

Check in with them to see how they're doing by saying things like:

Hey, I've been thinking about you! How are things going for you?
Remember, if you need to talk, I'm always available!

Respect, reassurance, and support can all be extremely beneficial in overcoming adversity. I hope this blog post was helpful to you or someone you know who would benefit from reading it.

Please share this blog post to raise awareness of these steps and strategies for preventing suicide. Share this with your family, and friends, and on your social media platforms. Make them aware that they can reach out to you or anyone else.

It's never too late to get help.

Recovery is possible!

IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS AT IMMEDIATE RISK OF SELF-HARM OR SUICIDE, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

References:

“Wspd2021.” IASP, 17 Aug. 2021, www.iasp.info/wspd2021/.

“Resources - IASP Wspd Resources, BRIEF, Banners, Light a Candle.” IASP, 24 Aug. 2021, www.iasp.info/wspd2021/resources/

“Suicide.” World Health Organization, World Health Organization, 17 June 2021, www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/suicide.

“How the 5 Steps Can Help Someone Who Is Suicidal.” #BeThe1To, 23 Aug. 2021, www.bethe1to.com/bethe1to-steps-evidence/.

Smith, Melinda, et al. “Suicide Prevention.” HelpGuide.org, 15 July 2021, www.helpguide.org/articles/suicide-prevention/suicide-prevention.htm.

“Help Someone Else.” Lifeline, www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/help-someone-else/

Morrow, Nathan. “How to Help When Someone Is Suicidal.” SANE Australia, SANE Australia, 25 Sept. 2019, www.sane.org/information-stories/facts-and-guides/sane-steps-how-to-help-when-someone-is-suicidal.

Raypole, Crystal. “How to Help a Suicidal FRIEND: 11 Tips.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 16 Dec. 2020, www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/how-to-help-a-suicidal-friend.

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Suicide: What to Do When Someone Is Suicidal.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 31 Jan. 2018, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/suicide/in-depth/suicide/art-20044707

“How to Help Someone Who Is Suicidal.” Mental Health First Aid, 11 Dec. 2018, www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/2018/12/how-to-help-someone-who-is-suicidal/.

Suicidal Thoughts - How to Support Someone, www.rethink.org/advice-and-information/carers-hub/suicidal-thoughts-how-to-support-someone/.

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