Suicidal young people cannot help themselves. Whilst contemplating suicide, young people may have a distorted view of their actual life situation and what solutions are appropriate for them to take. However, with support and constructive assistance from caring and informed people around them, young people can gain and maintain positive control over their own lives. Most suicidal young people never seek or ask for help with their problems. 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. Adolescents may also visit their doctors for unrelated to suicide issues. For this reason GPs need training. Suicidal young people are always angry when someone intervenes and they will resent that person afterwards. While it is common for young people to be defensive and resist help at first, these behaviours are often used to test how much people care and are prepared to help.