10 Things to Say to Someone Thinking about Suicide

As part of the departmental focus on mental health of teens, here are two practical "what to say" articles:

10 Things to Say to Someone Thinking of Suicide (link)

I'd encourage you to read the entire article which explains why these are good things to say.  But here's the list:

1. “I’m so glad you told me that you’re thinking of suicide.”
2. “I’m sad you’re hurting like this.”
3. “What’s going on that makes you want to die?”
4. “When do you think you’ll act on your suicidal thoughts?”
5. “What ways do you think of killing yourself?”
6. “Do you have access to a gun?”
7. “Help is available.”
8. “What can I do to help?"
9. “I care about you, and I would be so sad if you died by suicide.”  (*be careful with this one)
10. “I hope you’ll keep talking to me about your thoughts of suicide.”

10 Things NOT to Say to someone Thinking of Suicide (link)

1. “How could you think of suicide? Your life’s not that bad.” 

2. “Don’t you know I would be devastated if you killed yourself? How could you think of hurting me like that?” 

3. “Suicide is selfish.” 

4. “Suicide is cowardly.” 

5. “You don’t mean that. You don’t really want to die.” 

6. “You have so much to live for.”

7. “Things could be worse.” 

8. “Other people have problems worse than you and they don’t want to die.” 

9. “Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.” 

10. “You will go to hell if you die by suicide.”