How to help someone who is suicidal:

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Here's a video on what to do if a friend is suicidal:

 

 

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Don't try to tell the person you understand how they feel. That (usually- everyone is different) will make them feel worse because it can come across as condescending or like you're invalidating their pain.

 

Don't try to tell them it will get better unless you know they're the type of person who will feel better hearing that. "It gets better" or "things will work out" can invalidate their current pain and might worsen the situation.

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Ask them if there's anything you can do to make them feel better and listen. Sometimes all they want is someone to listen to them. Only offer advice if they are okay with it. If they reply with "I don't know" ask them "would it help if I did x (listening, staying the night, distracting them, keeping them company, making them food, taking them out)"? (Unless they seem agitated- then drop it.)

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Know the national suicide prevention lifeline number- 1-800-273-8255. Ask them if they need suicide hotline or crisis hotline numbers. You can call some hotlines or even just text some if you're hard of hearing/deaf or don't like making phone calls. Imalive.org is a great text line. You can text HELP to 741-741 if you're in the US. Here's a list of hotlines/resources for someone who is suicidal: crisis + suicide hotlines/resources

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Ask them if they want you to take them to the hospital or call. If you think they're in immediate danger of committing suicide, call 911.