The more warning signs the greater the risk
• Threatening to hurt or kill oneself or talking about wanting to hurt or kill oneself
• Looking for ways to kill oneself by seeking access to firearms, pills, or other means
• Talking or writing about death, dying, or suicide when these actions are out of the ordinary for the person
• Feeling hopeless
• Feeling rage or uncontrolled anger or seeking revenge
• Acting reckless or engaging in risky activities - seemingly without thinking
• Feeling trapped-like there's no way out
• Increasing alcohol or drug use
• Withdrawing from friends, family, and society
• Feeling anxious, agitated, or unable to sleep or sleeping all the time
• Experiencing dramatic mood changes
• Seeing no reason for living or having no sense of purpose in life
Question the Person About Suicide
Asking the suicide question does not increase the risk.
• Ask directly—"Are you thinking about killing yourself?"
• How you ask the question is less important than that you ask it.
• Talk to the person alone in a private setting.
• How not to ask the question—"You're not suicidal are you?"
Persuade the Person to Get Help
Suicide is not the problem, only the solution to a perceived insolvable problem.
• Listen to the problem and give them your full attention.
• Offer help in any form.
• Then ask, "Will you go with me to get help?" or
• Will you let me help you?" and
• "Will you promise not to kill yourself until we've found some help?"
Refer for Help
Any willingness to accept help at some time, even if in the future, is a good outcome.
• Call 911 if you believe they are in immediate danger of harming themselves.
• The best referral involves taking the person directly to someone who can help.
• The next best referral is getting a commitment from them to accept help, then making the arrangements to get that help.
• The National Suicide Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) is a free 24-hour hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Calls are routed to the closest crisis center.
• The third best referral is to give referral information and try to get a good faith commitment not to complete or attempt suicide.
--
Information adapted from Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) training, QPR Institute, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
This document was developed through funds provided by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment: Office of Suicide Prevention grant number 1U79SM059168-01 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
• Threatening to hurt or kill oneself or talking about wanting to hurt or kill oneself
• Looking for ways to kill oneself by seeking access to firearms, pills, or other means
• Talking or writing about death, dying, or suicide when these actions are out of the ordinary for the person
• Feeling hopeless
• Feeling rage or uncontrolled anger or seeking revenge
• Acting reckless or engaging in risky activities - seemingly without thinking
• Feeling trapped-like there's no way out
• Increasing alcohol or drug use
• Withdrawing from friends, family, and society
• Feeling anxious, agitated, or unable to sleep or sleeping all the time
• Experiencing dramatic mood changes
• Seeing no reason for living or having no sense of purpose in life
Question the Person About Suicide
Asking the suicide question does not increase the risk.
• Ask directly—"Are you thinking about killing yourself?"
• How you ask the question is less important than that you ask it.
• Talk to the person alone in a private setting.
• How not to ask the question—"You're not suicidal are you?"
Persuade the Person to Get Help
Suicide is not the problem, only the solution to a perceived insolvable problem.
• Listen to the problem and give them your full attention.
• Offer help in any form.
• Then ask, "Will you go with me to get help?" or
• Will you let me help you?" and
• "Will you promise not to kill yourself until we've found some help?"
Refer for Help
Any willingness to accept help at some time, even if in the future, is a good outcome.
• Call 911 if you believe they are in immediate danger of harming themselves.
• The best referral involves taking the person directly to someone who can help.
• The next best referral is getting a commitment from them to accept help, then making the arrangements to get that help.
• The National Suicide Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) is a free 24-hour hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Calls are routed to the closest crisis center.
• The third best referral is to give referral information and try to get a good faith commitment not to complete or attempt suicide.
--
Information adapted from Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) training, QPR Institute, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
This document was developed through funds provided by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment: Office of Suicide Prevention grant number 1U79SM059168-01 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
