Validate Their Feelings
Even if you feel that their problems are not serious enough to lead to suicide, you need to remember it’s how a person perceives their problems that can lead to suicide attempts. If the problems are dire, suicide feels like an option to them. Hence, if they ever air out their problems, you must listen to them without discounting their feelings. You shouldn’t make them feel like they are overreacting or be dismissive of their experiences. Do not be ignorant about suicide talks. If you find an indication of suicidal thoughts from a loved one, you must suggest a suicide counseling or suicide rehab service to help them before things get worse.
2. Look at Suicide as a Cry for Help
The first step towards suicide prevention and help is identifying your loved ones’ thought pattern and recognizing it as a cry for help. A suicide attempt may not just be about wanting to die, it can be about great emotional/mental anguish and wanting to make a drastic escape. An individual thinks about suicide when they don’t know how to deal with their emotions. If you see any signs, big or small, that point towards a suicide attempt, get professional help immediately.
3. Be a Good Listener
Sometimes, all a person wants is someone to hear them out; be it a loved one or a friend. Unburdening all the troubles can help relieve the mental pressure that may lead to suicide attempts. To be a good listener, you have to be patient and avoid arguing with your loved one. If you feel that you don’t understand what the person is going through and can’t help them in any way, you can suggest that they should go for suicide counseling or suicide rehab. Suggesting suicide therapy doesn’t mean that you don’t want to listen, it means that you care enough to get them professional help.