September is Suicide Prevention Month
How to talk about suicide
by Jodi DePaoli, LPC, Cascade Health Counseling & EAP Manager
The most important thing to know when it comes to talking about suicide is this: Don’t be afraid to talk about suicide. There are many reasons people steer clear of the topic, including discomfort over asking hard questions, not knowing how to respond if someone does say they feel suicidal, or worrying that talking about it will give our loved one the idea when they hadn’t even considered it. It’s important that everyone knows some very basic ways to intervene when we worry someone in our life might be suicidal.
First, don’t be afraid to ask the question. There is no evidence that asking someone if they feel suicidal leads them to consider suicide. If you have a loved one in your life who is struggling with depression or making comments that concern you, the most important thing you can do is ask if they are thinking about suicide. If they say yes, it is important to stay calm and continue the conversation. Thoughts of suicide are not uncommon; in fact, many people have suicidal thoughts with no intention of following through. These thoughts are often the mind trying to look at all the options to solve a problem that feels insurmountable.
Second, if your loved one says yes, they have been thinking about suicide, our best response is to offer empathy and to help connect them with a professional. Saying, “I’m so glad you told me you are having these feelings,” or “It sounds like you are really struggling and going through a lot right now” can be simple and helpful ways to respond. Please know you do not have to decide how serious the risk of suicide is. Instead offer to help them find a therapist for an assessment, connect with their existing therapist or support system, or in cases where you believe your loved one is not safe, call 988 together or drive them to the nearest emergency room.
Third, stay in touch and follow up. Continue to offer support and empathy, check in to see if your loved one is getting the help they need, and be willing to listen and be a safe person for them to talk with about their feelings. Make sure you are also getting the support you need and taking care of yourself also. Consider connecting with a professional to ensure you are doing all you can to support yourself and your loved one during this difficult time.
Cascade Health Counseling & EAP is committed to supporting our community through providing professional counseling services as well as crisis intervention. If you or a loved one needs help, please call 541-345-2800 to connect with a counselor.