The Role of Mental Health Counselors in Preventing Suicide: People who are in danger of harming themselves may try to reach out to you as a mental health professional -sometimes directly, sometimes indirectly. As a mental health counselor, you should be alert for imminent warning signs that a patient may be at risk of suicide…. Read more »
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There are many commonly held beliefs about suicide that keep us from trying to help people at risk. Here are some of the typical misconceptions about suicide that are NOT true: Most suicides are caused by one particular trigger event. A person who attempts suicide has to feel bad about themselves for a long period… Read more »
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Helping Friends Who May Be Suicidal If you have a friend who is distressed, depressed or unusually troubled by family problems, bad grades, or recent breakup of a relationship, don’t be afraid to ask if he or she would like to talk with you. Listen with empathy, ask directly about any suicidal thoughts or plans,… Read more »
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Surviving the Loss of a Loved One by Suicide If you have lost someone to suicide, the most important thing you should know is that you are not alone. One of every 65 Americans has lost a loved one to suicide, and there are 4.6 million survivors in the United States alone. Like you, the… Read more »
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The Role of Teachers in Preventing Suicide As a teacher you are in the position to reach out to student at risk for suicide Youth suicides, or suicide attempts, rarely take place in schools, but many young people who are at risk of suicide attend school and exhibit warning signs. When teachers recognize theses signs… Read more »
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If you or someone you know is experiencing self-destructive or suicidal thoughts, it is essential that you seek help by talking to someone, calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and seeking the care or counseling needed. It is important to talk to someone about what you are going through and to engage in coping strategies… Read more »
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Suicide is the third leading cause of death among youth between 14 and 24 years of age and the fourth leading cause of death for those aged 10-14. However, suicide can be prevented. It is important to know the warning signs in young people who may be contemplating taking their own lives. Be sure to… Read more »
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Here are some suggestions for supportive tools that you can create now to help you at those times when you are feeling down and distressed. When you start to feel bad, take them out and go through them; read them, examine them, listen to them; they are there to remind you that you want to… Read more »
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Here are some ways you can help a person at risk for suicide: Engage – Engage the person at risk in a personable way, use eye contact, give your full attention, don’t let yourself get distracted. Explore – Explore their situation from his or her point of view by encouraging the open expression of their… Read more »
Learn MoreOne of the scariest things you can experience is the fear that someone you know may be suicidal. When a friend, family member or associate shows some of the warning signs for suicide, it is essential to intervene and take action to get that person to the help they need. When someone is suicidal,… Read more »
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