SUICIDE: An uncomfortable conversation that can save a life
Why talk about suicide?
- Suicide is preventable
- Connections to family and friends or to health professionals keep people alive
- Crises pass
- Most people who are suicidal do not actually want to die. They only want their emotional pain to stop, but people who are depressed don’t see choices and feel hopeless. Suicide prevention with a clinician shows them they have options
- No one is immune
Suicide Risk Factors
- Male
- Age: 20-44 or older adult
- Depressed
- Substance abuse (alcohol or drugs)
- Low social support
- Does not have a spouse or intimate partner
- Prior suicide attempt(s)
- Has a plan and means
- Chronic illness
- Starting anti-depressant medication (this is a time to be watchful because the medication may lead to an energy boost while the individual is still depressed)
Warning Signs
- Withdrawal/ isolation from family and friends
- Talking or thinking about suicide/death
- Giving away possessions/putting affairs in order
- Depressed mood
- Anxiety
- Feeling trapped/hopeless
- Purposelessness
- Recklessness
- Anger
If you answered, ”Yes” to the above points, please call 911 or a health professional or suicide hotline (See resources below).
Remember:
- you need to talk to someone
- Crises pass
- You may feel embarrassed, but it is natural to have suicidal thoughts when coping resources are exhausted
- Others DO care and are willing to help
What do you do if you are concerned about someone you know?
Ask, “Are you thinking of hurting yourself?”
- Encourage the person to talk
- Listen and paraphrase what you hear
- Refer to resources (see below): “How would you feel about talking to someone who could help you?”
Don’t:
- Tell them what to do
- Promise to keep a secret
- Minimize
- Judge
- Talk too much about your own story
RESOURCES
Call 911 if there is imminent danger to self or others
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:
- Call 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
- TTY: 1-800-487-4849
- 24/7, toll-free, confidential, available anyone in suicidal crisis or
emotional distress
http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
Your Life Your Choice: 24/7 Teen Crisis hotline
Call: 1(800) 448-3000
Crisis Text Hotline:
- Text 741741 to text with a trained crisis counselor
- Available to anyone but mostly used by teens
- http://www.crisistextline.org
- 24/7, all text messages are anonymous and free although charges may apply
with carriers other than AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, or Verizon
Crisis Chat Line: http://www.suicidepreventionlife.org/GetHelp/LifelineChat.aspx
The TrevorProject: national 24/7 toll-free, confidential hotline for LGBTQ youth;
Call: 310-271-8845 or go to: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/about/contect-us/
SUICIDE: An uncomfortable conversation that can save a life
Why talk about suicide?
- Suicide is preventable
- Connections to family and friends or to health professionals keep people alive
- Crises pass
- Most people who are suicidal do not actually want to die. They only want their emotional pain to stop, but people who are depressed don’t see choices and feel hopeless. Suicide prevention with a clinician shows them they have options
- No one is immune
Suicide Risk Factors
- Male
- Age: 20-44 or older adult
- Depressed
- Substance abuse (alcohol or drugs)
- Low social support
- Does not have a spouse or intimate partner
- Prior suicide attempt(s)
- Has a plan and means
- Chronic illness
- Starting anti-depressant medication (this is a time to be watchful because the medication may lead to an energy boost while the individual is still depressed)
Warning Signs
- Withdrawal/ isolation from family and friends
- Talking or thinking about suicide/death
- Giving away possessions/putting affairs in order
- Depressed mood
- Anxiety
- Feeling trapped/hopeless
- Purposelessness
- Recklessness
- Anger
If you answered, ”Yes” to the above points, please call 911 or a health professional or suicide hotline (See resources below).
Remember:
- you need to talk to someone
- Crises pass
- You may feel embarrassed, but it is natural to have suicidal thoughts when coping resources are exhausted
- Others DO care and are willing to help
What do you do if you are concerned about someone you know?
Ask, “Are you thinking of hurting yourself?”
- Encourage the person to talk
- Listen and paraphrase what you hear
- Refer to resources (see below): “How would you feel about talking to someone who could help you?”
Don’t:
- Tell them what to do
- Promise to keep a secret
- Minimize
- Judge
- Talk too much about your own story
RESOURCES
Call 911 if there is imminent danger to self or others
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:
- Call 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
- TTY: 1-800-487-4849
- 24/7, toll-free, confidential, available anyone in suicidal crisis or
emotional distress
http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
Your Life Your Choice: 24/7 Teen Crisis hotline
Call: 1(800) 448-3000
Crisis Text Hotline:
- Text 741741 to text with a trained crisis counselor
- Available to anyone but mostly used by teens
- http://www.crisistextline.org
- 24/7, all text messages are anonymous and free although charges may apply
with carriers other than AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, or Verizon
Crisis Chat Line: http://www.suicidepreventionlife.org/GetHelp/LifelineChat.aspx
The TrevorProject: national 24/7 toll-free, confidential hotline for LGBTQ youth;
Call: 310-271-8845 or go to: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/about/contect-us/
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(949) 551- 2969 – Professional Services (Individual Therapy, Couples Therapy, Family Therapy)
(949) 551-2969 – Psychological Testing
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Email us at [email protected]
For appointment & Inquiries about our IOP programs please call us at (949) 551-4272 or (949) 551-2969.
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62 Discovery, Suite #100
Irvine, CA 92618