The only effective intervention for suicide comes from professional psychotherapists with extensive experience in the area. Fact All people who interact with suicidal adolescents can help them by way of emotional support and encouragement. Psychotherapeutic interventions also rely heavily on family and friends providing a network of support. Most suicidal young people never seek or ask for help with their problems. Fact Evidence shows that they often tell their school peers of their thoughts and plans.
Most suicidal adults visit a medical doctor during the three months prior to killing themselves.
Adolescents are more likely to 'ask' for help through non-verbal gestures than to express their situation verbally to others. Myth Suicidal young people are always angry when someone intervenes and they will resent that person afterwards. Fact While it is common for young people to be defensive and resist help at first, these behaviours are often barriers imposed to test how much people care and are prepared to help. For most adolescents considering suicide, it is a relief to have someone genuinely care about them and to be able to share the emotional burden of their plight with another person. When questioned some time later, the vast majority express gratitude for the intervention.