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Suicide Prevention
Suicide prevention prayer
To pray
“Lord Jesus, You who invite the weary and burdened to draw near to You and rest in Your Heart, we ask You this month for all those who live in darkness and despair, especially those struggling with suicidal thoughts. May they always find a community that welcomes, listens to, and accompanies them. Grant us all an attentive and compassionate heart, capable of offering comfort and support, including the necessary professional help. May we know how to be close with respect and tenderness, helping to heal wounds, create bonds, and open new horizons. May we together rediscover that life is a gift, that beauty and meaning still exist, even in the midst of pain and suffering. We know well that those who follow You are also vulnerable to hopeless sadness. We ask You to always make us feel Your love so that, through Your closeness to us, we may recognize and proclaim to all the infinite love of the Father who leads us by the hand to renew our trust in the life You give us. Amen.” Pope Leo XIII
The 5 Steps
Action plans to communicate with someone who may have suicidal tendencies are supported by evidence in the field of suicide prevention.
ASK
1
How: Asking the question “Are you thinking about suicide?” conveys that you are willing to discuss suicide with an understanding and non-judgmental attitude. Asking direct, non-judgmental questions can open the door to effective dialogue about emotional suffering and allow everyone involved to know what steps need to be taken. Other questions you can ask include: “What do you feel when you are suffering?” and “How can I help?” Never promise to keep your suicidal thoughts a secret.
The other side of the “Ask” step is “Listen.” Be sure to take their answers seriously and not dismiss them, especially if they tell you they are having suicidal thoughts. Listening to their reasons for emotional distress, as well as any reasons they might want to continue living, is incredibly important when they share what they are going through. Help them focus on their own reasons for wanting to live and avoid trying to impose your own reasons on them.
Why: Studies show that asking people at risk if they have suicidal thoughts does not increase suicides or suicidal thoughts. In fact, studies suggest the opposite: findings suggest that acknowledging and talking about suicide could actually reduce, not increase, suicidal ideation.
2
How: This could involve being physically present for someone, talking to them on the phone when you can, or using any other means to show support to the person at risk. An important aspect of this step is to make sure you follow through on what you said you could do to support the person—don't commit to anything you're unwilling or unable to do. If you can't be physically present with someone having suicidal thoughts, talk with them to brainstorm ways others can help as well (again, only those who are willing, able, and able to be present). Again, listening is very important during this step; find out what and who they think would be the most effective sources of help.
Why: Being there for someone with suicidal thoughts can save lives. Increasing a person's connection with others and reducing their isolation (both short- and long-term) has been shown to be a protective factor against suicide. Thomas Joiner's Interpersonal-Psychological Theory of Suicide highlights connection as a key component, specifically a low sense of belonging. When someone experiences this state, along with a perceived sense of being overwhelmed (possibly associated with "connection" through isolating behaviors and a lack of purpose) and acquired capacity (little fear of death and habitual experiences of violence), their risk can be significantly elevated.
In Three-Step Theory (commonly referred to as the Conceptualization-to-Action Framework), David Klonsky and Alexis May also assert that “connection” is a key protective factor, not only against suicide in general, but for everything related to the transition from suicidal thoughts to action. Their research has also shown that acts of connection mitigate hopelessness and psychological suffering.
By “being present”, we have the opportunity to alleviate or eliminate some of these important factors.
BEING PRESENT
3
KEEP THEM SAFE
How: First of all, it's good that everyone has the same understanding. After the "Ask" step and after you've determined that they are indeed talking about suicide, it's important to find out a few things to establish immediate safety. Before talking to you, has this person already done anything to attempt suicide? Does the person experiencing suicidal thoughts already know how they would take their own life? Do they have a specific and detailed plan? What time have they chosen to carry out the plan? What kind of access do they have to the method they planned?
Why: Knowing the answers to each of these questions tells us a lot about the imminence and severity of the danger the person is in. For example, the more measures and parts of the plan that have been put in place, the greater the risk and their ability to carry out the plan. Or, if they have immediate access to firearms and are determined to attempt suicide, then additional steps may be necessary (such as calling the authorities or taking them to an emergency department). Lifeline can always be a resource during these moments and for when you are not entirely sure what to do next.
The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health indicates that restricting a suicidal person's access to highly lethal means (or methods chosen for a suicide attempt) is an important part of suicide prevention. Several studies have shown that when the availability of lethal means is restricted or when they are made less lethal, suicide rates using that method decrease, and often overall rates are reduced. Furthermore, research also shows that when the original method is restricted, it does not lead to "method substitution" or the selection of another method. The myth that "if someone really wants to take their own life, they will find a way" is often untrue if appropriate safety measures are in place. The "Keep Them Safe" step refers to showing support to someone during times when they are having suicidal thoughts, while also putting time and distance between the person and their chosen method, especially methods that have been shown to be more lethal (such as firearms and medications).
How: Helping someone with suicidal thoughts connect with consistent support services (such as Lifeline, 800-273-8255) can help them establish a safety net for times of crisis. Another component of a safety net could be connecting them with support services and resources in their community. Explore some of these potential support services with them. Are they currently receiving care from a mental health professional? Have they received this type of care in the past? Is this an option for them now? Are there any other mental health resources in the community that could effectively help them?
One way to begin helping them find ways to connect is by working with them to develop a safety plan. This can include ways for them to identify if they begin to have serious suicidal thoughts, as well as what to do in those moments of crisis. A safety plan can also include a list of people to contact if a crisis occurs. The My3 app is a safety planning and crisis intervention app that can help develop these support strategies and is conveniently stored on their smartphone for easy access.
Why: Impact of Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training on the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline found that callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline were significantly less likely to feel depressed, suicidal, and overwhelmed, and felt more hopeful at the end of the call with counselors trained in applying suicide intervention skills. These improvements were associated with counselor interventions related to ASIST, including non-judgmental listening, exploring reasons for continuing to live, and building a support network.
4
Helping Them Connect
5
FOLLOW UP
How: After your initial contact with people who are having suicidal thoughts and after connecting them with the immediate support systems they need, be sure to follow up to see how they are doing. Leave a message, send a text, or call them. The follow-up step is a good time to check in on them and find out if there is anything else you can do to help them or if there are things you said you would do that you haven't yet had the opportunity to do for the person.
Why: This type of contact can continue to increase their feelings of connection and reassurance that they have your ongoing support. There is evidence that a simple form of communication, such as sending a caring postcard , can potentially reduce the risk of suicide.
Studies have shown that the number of suicide deaths decreases when high-risk populations are followed up after discharge from acute care services. Studies have also shown that brief, low-cost interventions and consistent, supportive contact can be important components of suicide prevention.
Lifeline
It offers 24/7, free services in Spanish; you don't need to speak English if you need help. A trained person will listen to you and talk with you. If needed, they can give you information about resources or services in your community that can help you after the call.
I need help myself.
A trained professional will listen to you and speak with you. If needed, they can provide information about resources or services in your community that can help you after the call.
A loved one needs help
If you are concerned about someone you know who is going through a crisis or is thinking about suicide, our centers can help. A qualified staff member at the center can:
Give them ideas and suggestions on how to approach the person they're worried about. This can help them think about what they might say to encourage their loved one to ask for help.
In some cases, the center can conference call you and the person you are concerned about at the same time.
Some communities have mobile teams that can visit people in their homes. If there is one of these teams in your area, our center will put you in touch with them.
What happens when I call?
When you call 1-888-628-9454, your call is routed to the nearest available help center in our network. We currently have 170 centers in the network, and you will most likely be connected to one located in your area. Each center operates independently and has its own qualified staff.
When the center answers your call, you will be speaking with a person who will listen to you, ask you questions, and do everything in their power to help you.
Some facts about the National Suicide Prevention Network
Calls are free from any phone in the United States.
Our lines operate 24 hours a day, every day of the week, so you can get in touch with a trained person whenever you need to.
Your call is confidential; this means that the person listening will do everything possible to not disclose your identity.
We provide services in English ( 1-800-273-8255 ) and in Spanish ( 1-888-628-9454 )
We are the only national crisis response network funded by the Federal Government.