Suicide Counseling-10 Helpful Ideas. Adolescent Counseling. Preventing Suicide. Counseling Help. Teen Suicide Prevention

Suicide Support and Prevention

Be a sympathetic, compassionate and non-judgmental listener

Photo: Luka Krstulovic, Feb 2007

1. Be a good listener. There are no right or wrong things you can say if you are speaking out of love and concern. Show that you care by talking to them, holding them while they cry, or whatever else is needed.

2. A suicidal person usually is carrying around some burden that they feel they just can't handle anymore. Offer to listen as they vent their feelings of despair, anger and loneliness. Sometimes this is enough to lighten the load just enough for them to carry on.

3. Be sympathetic, non-judgmental, patient, calm, accepting. Don’t belittle a person’s feelings. Just tell them, “I understand how you feel. I have felt like that sometimes myself, or, I know other people who have said the same thing. You are not alone. God understands. You’re not crazy, this happens to many people. You can pull through it.” Display empathy and compassion.

The person will pick up on your attitude and begin to mirror this.

4. Draw the person out, ask questions, "Are you having thoughts of suicide, what do you want to do?" Most people don’t have definite plans and don’t follow through.

5. Give them reassurance, let them know their life has value. Let them know you value their life. Let them know God values their life.

6. Try to instill a feeling of hope.

7. Share comforting scriptures.

8. Get support if it is serious, don’t ignore it.

9. Allow them to vent their feelings. Talking can help take off the edge and calm a person down. Pray for them and with them.

10. Try, in time, to get them to go for a long walk with you. Let them talk as you walk along.

Please read the following:

Anyone who is on medication should not come off abruptly. Sudden change in one's medication regimen can cause problems. Anyone who has suicidal thoughts and is trying to come off of medication, should do so under a doctor's supervision and come off gradually.

This website is for informative and educational purposes only and any decisions that one makes in his or her treatment, or for their children are on a personal basis and by reading the information on this site, the reader acknowledges that the AYCNP bears no responsibility for individual decisions on mental health.

Suicide Prevention: These are some organizations concerned with suicide prevention:

National Suicide Prevention Directory Off-site link
Contact information for suicide prevention agencies. Listed by state.

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Off-site link
Locate support groups for friends and families of suicide victims.

Suicide Awareness\Voices of Education Off-site link
Includes an FAQ, general information on suicide, some common statistics, symptoms of depression, literature.

This page has been produced by AYCNP. Please see here for more details about AYCNP.