If you need immediate help,
please dial 911

Attempted Suicide / Person is Responsive

How To Help Someone Who Has Attempted Suicide & Is Responsive

Call 911

How To Help Someone Who Is Not Breathing

How To Help Someone Who Is Bleeding

How To Help Someone Who Is Seizing

What To Say To Someone Who Has Attempted Suicide

  • I’m sorry you’ve been feeling so awful. I’m so glad you’re still here

  • I’m here for you. Remember that you can always talk to me if you need to

  • I want to help you. Tell me what I can do to support you

How To Support Someone Who Has Attempted Suicide

  • Be available and let the person know you will listen. It is vital to create a 'safe space' for the person to talk – this helps to build or re-establish trust between you and the person you are concerned about

  • Try to understand the feelings and perspective of the person before exploring solutions together

  • It may be advisable to remove possible means to suicide, including drugs and alcohol, to keep the person safe

  • Support the person in exploring and developing realistic plans and solutions to deal with their emotional pain. In order to let go of suicide as a solution, they will need to see real changes in their life. It is usually a case of making small steps in the beginning, as the person's difficulties haven't been created overnight.

  • It is important for the suicidal person to assume as much responsibility as possible for their own welfare as they are capable of at that time. This might be difficult for you to consider, as you might not feel able to trust your loved one at the moment.

  • Enlist the help of others and make sure you get family and friends to assist you to support the person

  • Remember that you do not have to fill the role of counselor, psychiatrist or doctor yourself. Encourage your loved one to utilise the professional supports available to them

  • Consider assisting the person to write a safety plan that will detail the steps they need to take to keep themselves safe if they feel suicidal. Having a concrete plan in place may help both of you feel more prepared and in control about the possibility of future suicidal thoughts.

CPR techniques vary slightly depending on the age or size of the patient. The newest techniques emphasize compression over rescue breathing and airway, reversing long-standing practice.)