What You Can Do to Help to Save a Life

If you know someone who might be thinking about suicide, you can help them first by just listening. Very often, people who think suicide is a choice for them feel like they have no other options, like they have no control over their lives, and that no one cares about them.

Listening to someone shows you care, gives them a greater feeling of control, and helps them feel connected. Here what to do and what not to do:

Do:

Give the person all of your attention.
Tell him or her that you care and that you are glad they are talking to you.
Ask questions that help you to better understand how she or he is feeling.

Don't:

Try to solve the person's problems.
Give advice that wasn't asked for.
Say the person's feelings are wrong and unimportant.
Tell the person about your own problems.

Reprinted with permission from the Samaritans of Boston.

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