SUICIDE

When someone says he or she is thinking about suicide or says things that sound as if the person is considering suicide, it can be very upsetting. You may not be sure what to do to help, whether you should take talk of suicide seriously, or if your intervention might make the situation worse.

It can be hard to think about suicide — much less talk about it. Many people shy away from the subject, finding it frightening, even impossible to understand. And suicide certainly can be hard to understand, since it’s not always clear why a person makes this choice.

One thing I would like you to know and listen to if you don’t hear anything else I say during this broadcast is: 

It’s also important to keep in mind that simply thinking about suicide doesn’t automatically lead to an attempt. What’s more, these “warning signs” don’t always mean that someone’s contemplating suicide.

People who arrive at the option of suicide may also feel they’ve become a burden to their loved ones. In their eyes, suicide may feel like a selfless act that will spare their loved ones from having to deal with them.

ONE IMPORTANT THING:  NEVER MINIMIZE SOMEONE ELSE’S PAIN