If you ask someone about their suicidal intentions, you will only be encouraging her to kill herself. Asking someone directly about her suicidal intentions will often lower her anxiety level and act as a deterrent to suicidal behavior by encouraging the ventilation of pent-up emotions through a frank discussion of her problems. Only a mental health professional can prevent suicide . Suicide prevention by lay persons and crisis centers has proven quite effective. Support of friends, family, clergy, etc. is also important to the suicidal person.
Improvement following suicidal crisis means that the suicidal risk is over .
Most suicides occur within about three months following the beginning of 'improvement', when the individual has the energy to put her morbid thoughts and feelings into effect. This letter is for the benefit of those who feel their life isn t worth living. They'd Be Better Off Without Me. Just one night at one of these meetings will convince you that you are mistaken. Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.