Below are a list of action points to prevent someone you know ending their life and a list of danger signs to know if someone is suicidal.

Remember, most people who attempt suicide do not want to die; they want to end the pain they are suffering. Make sure your friend is not one of the few who is determined to die - don’t avoid helping.

Talking about suicide does not kill; talking saves lives.

DANGER SIGNS OF SUICIDE

1. If someone is going through a major life change - divorce, redundancy, losing a home etc. These are all risky points of life that can trigger suicidal feelings. Anniversaries, a trauma, or a loss could all be a trigger. Long term factors such as abuse or illness can also lead to suicidal feelings.  
   
   
2. When a person starts to withdraw from the people around them. A person might not seem ‘themselves’…might seem distracted, sad, distant or lacking in concentration.
   
   
3. When a person talks about dying, disappearing or going away. They might talk about funerals, suicide methods or other types of self-harm. Often, the more detailed a person’s plan for suicide is, the more at risk they may be.
   
   
4. A person might believe that things will never get better; that nothing will ever change, or might talk about things in the future being irrelevant.
   
   
5. If somebody starts putting their affairs in order (like arranging wills, pet or childcare), or giving away their prized possessions, they may be at risk.
   
   
6. They may suddenly become less down, and more happy or peaceful. This is because once they have made the decision to end their life; they feel that a solution has been found.
   
   

SUICIDE PREVENTION ACTION POINTS

1. Ask the suicidal person the direct question – are you thinking about suicide? Serious talks about suicide does not create or increase risk; it reduces it. The best way to identify the possibility of suicide is to ask directly. Openly discussing someone's thoughts of suicide can be a source of relief for them and can be key to preventing the immediate danger of suicide.
   
   
2. Do NOT say to them ‘You are not going to do anything silly are you?” This dismisses how they are feeling.
   
   
3. Don’t leave them alone – Get friends, work colleagues, even their hairdresser to keep them company. If they are isolating themselves – make sure they are not morbidly surfing the internet for tips on how to kill themselves.
   
   
4. Ask them how they feel, what they need to make their life better and how you can help. The unconditional support of family and friends can help a person to re-establish themselves, and develop a network of support that would help prevent similar crises developing in the future.
   
   
5. Get them to call a Suicide Helpline. Caring professionals are available 24 hours a day – seven days a week. 1-800 273 TALK.
   

For More Information go to:

www.suicide.org

www.livingworks.net

www.chooselife.net

ARE YOU SUICIDAL?

Call

1800 273 TALK

You are not alone. I promise you can make it through one more  day. Many others feel as you feel, so let's hold hands and change your life together.