Suicide Prevention Month: How to Support Someone You Love- and Yourself
September is Suicide Prevention Month, a time to encourage honest conversations about suicide, mental health, emotional distress, and the importance of seeking help.
Suicide prevention is not only about knowing what to do when someone is in crisis. It is also about creating a culture where people feel comfortable saying, “I’m not okay,” and where reaching out for professional mental health support is viewed as a strength rather than a failure.
Whether you are concerned about a family member, friend, coworker, partner, or yourself, knowing how to recognize warning signs and respond appropriately can make an important difference.
What Are the Warning Signs of Suicide?
There is no single sign that tells us someone is suicidal. However, certain changes in behavior, emotions, and communication may indicate that someone is experiencing significant emotional distress.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), warning signs can include:
Talking about wanting to die or feeling like a burden
Feeling hopeless, trapped, or as though there is no reason to live
Experiencing overwhelming emotional or physical pain
Withdrawing from family, friends, or activities
Saying goodbye to people or giving away important possessions
Making a suicide plan or researching ways to die
Taking unusual or dangerous risks
Significant changes in sleeping or eating
Increased use of alcohol or drugs
Extreme changes in mood
A new or increasing change in behavior deserves attention, particularly when several warning signs occur together.
How Can You Help Someone Who May Be Struggling?
You do not have to be a mental health professional to offer support.
Sometimes, the most important thing you can do is notice, ask, listen, and connect.
1. Ask Directly
If you are concerned about someone, it is okay to ask directly:
“Are you thinking about suicide?”
Asking someone about suicide does not increase suicidal thoughts or behavior. In fact, asking directly can open the door to an important conversation and allow someone to talk about what they are experiencing.
Other questions you might ask include:
“How have you really been doing lately?”
“Have you been feeling hopeless or overwhelmed?”
“Do you feel safe right now?”
“How can I support you?”
“Would you be willing to talk with a mental health professional?”
2. Listen Without Immediately Trying to Fix It
When someone is hurting, our first instinct may be to give advice, find a solution, or tell them that things will get better.
Instead, try listening.
You might say:
“I’m glad you told me.”
“You don't have to go through this alone.”
“I may not have all the answers, but I can stay with you while we find additional support.”
Listening without judgment can help a person feel heard and understood. NIMH recommends being present, listening, helping the person connect with support, and following up.
3. Know Your Limits
Supporting someone you love does not mean becoming their therapist, crisis counselor, or sole source of support.
This is particularly important when someone is experiencing suicidal thoughts.
You can care deeply about someone while also recognizing:
“This is more than I can handle on my own.”
Helping someone connect with a licensed mental health professional, physician, crisis counselor, trusted family member, or other appropriate resource is part of supporting them.
If someone is in immediate danger, do not leave them alone. Contact emergency services or seek emergency medical care.
What If You Are the Person Struggling?
Suicide prevention is also about you.
If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, feeling hopeless, or wondering whether people would be better off without you, you deserve support.
You do not have to wait until you have a plan or are in immediate danger to reach out.
Start by telling someone you trust:
“I'm struggling and I need someone to stay with me.”
You can also contact a mental health professional and begin talking about what you are experiencing.
If you are in emotional distress or experiencing suicidal thoughts, you can call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The service is available 24/7, and you can contact 988 for yourself or because you are concerned about someone else. Support is available in English and Spanish.
If there is an immediate, life-threatening emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
You Don't Have to Have the Right Words
Many people avoid conversations about suicide because they are afraid they will say the wrong thing.
You do not need a perfect script.
You can simply say:
“I've noticed you've seemed different lately, and I'm concerned about you.”
“I care about you, and I want to check in.”
“You don't have to explain everything. I'm here to listen.”
“Let's find some support together.”
A simple conversation can be the beginning of someone getting the help they need.
Mental Health Therapy Can Be Part of Suicide Prevention
Professional mental health support can provide a safe place to explore depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, relationship difficulties, hopelessness, and other experiences that can contribute to emotional distress.
At Good Counsel Therapy, therapy is available for adults who are navigating difficult life experiences and mental health concerns. Treatment approaches may include EMDR, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based strategies, and trauma-informed therapy, depending on the individual's needs.
If you are looking for a therapist in Texas or New Jersey, seeking help does not mean that something is wrong with you. It means you are taking your mental health seriously.
Therapy can provide an opportunity to understand what you are experiencing, develop healthier coping strategies, strengthen relationships, and work toward meaningful change.
Suicide Prevention Starts With Connection
You may never know how much a simple conversation means to someone who is struggling.
Check in.
Ask the question.
Listen.
Take concerns seriously.
Connect people with appropriate support.
And remember to care for yourself along the way.
You can support someone without carrying their pain alone.
If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or emotional distress, call or text 988 for 24/7 crisis support. If there is an immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
