Treating and Coping Suicide

If you or someone you love are considering harming themselves, it is important to seek help right away.  

• Call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room  
• Call 988: The national helpline for suicide and mental health. Dial ‘988’ and someone will help you. 
• Text the Crisis Text Line: The national text line when you are in crisis. Text HOME to 741741 and someone will text you back and help you. 

Take any talk of suicide seriously. Do not leave the person alone. Seek help from emergency services, national helplines, or a mental health professional. Remove or lock up anything that could be used to cause harm (e.g., medicine, sharp objects, rope, or firearms). 

Children and teens often make quick, impulsive decisions when upset, so it is especially important to seek emergency help and keep harmful items out of reach, even if your concerns are new.

• Listen. Let them tell you what they are feeling and thinking.  
• Tell them you care about them 
• Validate their emotions (but NOT their suicidal ideation, plans, or attempts).
  • “I can see how much you’re hurting. I love you and I’m sorry you’ve been feeling this way.”  
• Reassure them that they are not alone.
  • “I’m sorry you’ve had to deal with this alone. I’m here and you don’t have to be alone anymore.”  
• Offer hope that options are available to help their pain 
• Don’t debate if suicide is right or wrong 
• Don’t dare someone to take actions to harm themselves 
• Don’t lecture someone on the value of life or question how they could feel suicidal  
• Don’t say things that sound nice but aren’t really helpful like:
  • “You have so much to live for” 
  • “This is a permanent solution to a temporary problem” 
  • “Think about what this would do to your family” 
  • “It’s not that bad” or “it could be so much worse”  
  • “You’re too strong for that”