(Download and print the Toolkit)
Suicidal people often believe that they have tried everything to stop the pain. However, the pain makes it difficult to think clearly, consider options, or remember reasons to stay alive.
Seeking professional help is a big step toward easing the emotional pain. With help, your loved one can feel well again.
Most suicidal people do not want to die. They are experiencing severe emotional pain, and are desperate for the pain to go away.
Adolescent years are confusing for everyone. Their moodiness can be exhausting!
Adults often find it difficult to keep up with all the emotional and physical changes adolescents experience. They may look more like adults than kids, but don’t think or act like adults. Young people are figuring out who they are in comparison to their parents, siblings, and other important people in their lives. In their transition from childhood to adulthood, they live constantly with conflicting feelings, and this is normal.
It can be difficult to distinguish between normal adolescent moodiness and more serious emotional problems. This is why talking with them, and getting comfortable with the uncomfortable questions, is important. Take the time to listen, and remind them that overwhelming and confusing feelings are a normal part of being an adolescent. If these feelings become too much to cope with, it is best to get help.
Ask directly about suicide. It will give them permission to talk about it with you.
It is important to make your home as safe as possible, especially if your loved one is experiencing severe stress, anxiety or depression.
Guns: Firearms should be removed from the home. Ask a relative, neighbor, or friend if they can hold them for you. If you are unable to find a safe place to store them, most police departments will hold your firearms for safekeeping. Call your local police department for more information.
More than half of all suicide deaths are the result of a gunshot wound. If you are unable to remove the weapons from the home, make sure that they are locked up securely. Change the combination code; take gunlock keys and any ammunition out of the home. Typically, young people know where keys are hidden and what the pass codes or PIN numbers are. Many police departments have free gun locks that are given to anyone who asks for them.
The presence of a gun in the home of a young person doubles the chance that they will die from suicide. This is true even if the guns are locked up.
Poisons and medications: Removing poisons, pills or any medications, including over-the-counter, everyday medications is important. You can call Poison Control at 800-222-1222 to find out a safe amount of medication to keep on hand.
Alcohol and drugs in the home increase the risk of suicide.
There are other ways people end their lives. Ask your loved one if there is something he or she has thought of using for suicide. If so, remove that as well.
It’s always best to be direct and ask if they are feeling suicidal.
Sometimes it’s just one sign, but most often it’s a combination of signs.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death for adolescents. Understanding why can help you take care of your loved one.
A suicidal person is a person in pain, who wants to make the pain go away. Emotional or mental pain makes it difficult to think clearly.
Recent research shows that the part of the brain that limits risky behaviors isn’t fully developed until age 25. This means that adolescents are more likely to take sudden action – including suicide – without considering the consequences.
The desire for pain to go away, combined with risky behaviors, increases the risk for suicide.
Ask your young person about suicide, and take all suicidal thoughts, threats, and behaviors seriously.
It is always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to suicide.
Going back to school or another regularly attended community group can feel awkward and uncomfortable after a mental health crisis. If a school counselor or group leader knows about the situation, your loved one may receive some extra care and consideration outside of the home, which can make it easier to return to their normal life.
Think of it in these terms: If this were a physical problem that required medical treatment, necessary accommodations would be made. For example, a broken ankle might require surgery, then a cast or crutches, and follow-up appointments. Emotional and mental health also require care and treatment for some time after the crisis has passed.
Information to give a school counselor or community group leader:
Telling friends: Assure your loved one that there is nothing to be ashamed of. If they are wondering who to tell or what to say, encourage them to talk with people they believe will be supportive and respectful. Remind them that sharing personal information through texting or social media is never private.
Here are a few ideas of what to say. You know your loved one best, so use what makes sense for you.
“I love you and want to make sure you stay safe.” In order to do that, we need to agree on a couple of things. I’m going to be asking you if you’re okay, so let’s decide how often I’m going to ask. You also need to agree to be honest when you answer the question.” This agreement to communicate is an important first step.
“Let’s talk when we’re calmer.” Arguments between you and your loved one can easily occur at this point. Strong words can result in more pain for both of you. Try to avoid a confrontation when emotions are running high.
“I love you…I’m proud of you…you are so important to me…we’re going to get through this together.” Sometimes a person who is feeling depressed or anxious or desperate becomes convinced that other people would be better off without him or her. Keep the encouragement coming so your loved one hears how important he or she is to you and to other people.
“You seem so sad or withdrawn or angry or worried. Ask, “what’s going on?” Identify a feeling and give your loved one a chance to talk about it. Their feelings won’t always make sense to you. Sometimes the things we feel aren’t logical. So don’t lecture. Just listen. It does help to get their feelings out.
“Are you thinking about killing yourself? How would you do it?” These are such difficult questions. Ask them anyway. The answers tell you what you need to know to keep your loved one safer. Is there something in your house your young person is tempted to use to hurt or kill himself? Remove it. Can your young person agree on a way to stay safe? If not, it may be time to go to the hospital.
“Remember that time you felt so bad? You got through it and you can get through this.” It helps to be reminded that intense feelings pass, just like storm clouds. There is hope!
When a loved one is in crisis, the family may experience intense feelings and need extra care and attention. This includes you.
Alone: It’s easy to think that you are the only one with this problem, especially because so many people avoid talking about mental health issues. You are not alone. Reach out for help from family, friends, professionals, or a family support group.
Guilt or Blame: There is rarely just one reason for your loved one’s distress. Blaming yourself or others is not useful. Focus instead on looking for ways to help.
Confused: You may wonder how you didn’t see this problem coming, but it’s easy to confuse warning signs with typical adolescent behaviors. Educate yourself on suicide prevention and mental health. The more you know, the more you can help.
Angry: Feeling powerless about your loved one’s crisis might make you feel angry with them or with the world in general. A healthy way to communicate these strong feelings is to make it clear that you won’t just stand by and do nothing while he or she struggles. Let your loved one know you will do everything you can to keep them healthy and safe.
Scared: You may wonder if your sense of alarm or panic will ever go away. You may wonder if your loved one will be safe, or if you’ll ever feel safe again. You may fear that your family won’t be the same again. These are all normal fears. It will help to talk to someone.
Going through this experience together may help you come out on the other side of this crisis a stronger family than you were before.
Safety Planning is a process of taking the time to write down signals that your loved one is headed for emotional or mental distress, and the steps to take to stay healthy and safe.
Distress can lead to many unhealthy behaviors, arguments, violence, problems at school or work, self-injury, substance abuse, stealing, suicide. Having a plan to avoid those behaviors, and being prepared during stressful times can help you feel more confident and hopeful.
We have included a My Safety Plan card in this packet, and we encourage you to fill it out with your loved one. When one or both of you recognize the first signals of distress, put My Safety Plan steps into action.
The more thought put into the plan, the better it will work. Update it when you discover new signals, new coping skills, and new sources of support.
Self-awareness: Everybody has feelings, behaviors or thoughts that signal that a suicidal or other crisis is coming. Think about what yours are, and write them down.
Action: When you start to notice the presence of these feelings, behaviors, or thoughts, what are some things you can do to take care of yourself? Some examples are:
Emotional Support:
If the crisis is still not relieved, with whom can you share these troubling feelings, and ask for emotional support?
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline may be a support 800-273-8255.
Include people who can help you stay safe.
Turn to Professionals: If you have tried all of the steps above and continue to feel suicidal, which professionals will you turn to? Maybe a therapist, doctor, or hospital.
Yes! I can get through this! Write down the things that inspire you to stay safe and alive.
Self-awareness:
These thoughts, feelings, or behaviors tell me I’m in a bad place emotionally, or becoming dangerous to myself:
Action:
When I notice this happening, I will take care of myself by doing these things:
Friendly people and places:
I will go to these people or places to stay connected, or to distract myself include contact info:
Emotional support:
I will share my feelings with these friends or relatives, and I will ask them for help include contact info:
Turn to professionals:
When nothing else seems to be helping, I will call on the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800-273-8255 or other professionals include contact info:
Yes! I can get through this:
If I find myself unable or unwilling to follow these steps, I will remind myself:
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline - Available 24 hours 7 days a week, call 988
Funding for this Macomb County Suicide Prevention Coalition publication was made possible by funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Garrett Lee Smith grant.
