Definition (1)
- Suicide: What to do when someone is suicidal
Prevention (1)
- Considering suicide? How to stay safe and find treatment
Risk factors (2)
- Depression (major depression)
- Teen bullying: What parents need to know
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Suicide: What to do when someone is suicidal
When someone you know appears suicidal, you might not know what to do. Learn warning signs, what questions to ask and how to get help.
By Mayo Clinic staffWhen someone says he or she is thinking about suicide, or says things that sound as though he or she 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 things worse. Taking action is always the best choice. Here's what to do.
Start by asking questions
The first step is to find out whether someone is in danger of acting on suicidal feelings. Be sensitive, but ask direct questions. Here are some things to ask:
- Are you thinking about suicide?
- Are you thinking about dying?
- Are you thinking about hurting yourself?
- Have you thought about how you would do it?
- Do you know when you would do it?
- Do you have the means to do it?
- How are you coping with what's been happening in your life?
- Do you ever feel like just giving up?
Asking about suicidal thoughts or feelings won't push someone into doing something self-destructive. In fact, offering an opportunity to talk about feelings may reduce the risk of acting on suicidal feelings.
Look for warning signs
You can't always tell when a loved one or friend is considering suicide. But here are some common signs:
- Talking about suicide, including making remarks such as "I wish I were dead" or "I wish I hadn't been born"
- Getting things that could be used to commit suicide, such as getting a gun or stockpiling pills
- Withdrawing from social contact and wanting to be left alone
- Dramatic mood swings, such as being emotionally high one day and deeply discouraged the next
- Being preoccupied with death, dying or violence
- Feeling trapped or hopeless about a situation
- Abusing alcohol or drugs
- Changing normal routine, including eating or sleeping patterns
- Doing risky or self-destructive things, such as using drugs or driving recklessly
- Giving away belongings or getting affairs in order
- Saying goodbye to people as if they won't be seen again
- Acting out of character, such as becoming very outgoing after having been shy
Get emergency help, if needed
If you believe someone is at risk of suicide (or has made a suicide attempt):
- Don't leave the person alone.
- Call 911 or your local emergency services provider right away. Or, if you think you can do so safely, take the person to the nearest hospital emergency room yourself.
- Try to find out if he or she is under the influence of alcohol or drugs or may have taken an overdose.
- Tell a family member or friend right away what's going on.
If a friend or family member talks or behaves in a way that makes you believe that he or she might commit suicide, don't try to handle the situation without help. The most important step you can take is to get help from a trained professional as quickly as possible. The person may need to be hospitalized until the suicidal crisis has passed.
Next page(1 of 2)
- Schreiber J, et al. Suicidal ideation and behavior in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 9, 2010.
- Kennebeck S, et al. Evaluation and management of suicidal behavior in children and adolescents. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 9, 2010.
- Suicide prevention. Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=crisis_suicide_suicide&printer_friendly=1#What%20You%20Can%20Do%20to%20Help%20Someone. Accessed Feb. 3, 2010.
- Depression. National Institute of Mental Health. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression/index.shtml. Accessed Feb. 2, 2010.
- Barbara Woodward Lips Patient Education Center. Understanding Attempted Suicide. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2005.
- Teens. Suicide Prevention Resource Center. http://www.sprc.org/featured_resources/customized/teens.asp. Accessed Feb. 15, 2009.
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