About Kaiser Permanente Home Kaiser Permanente Home .st0{fill:#006ba6}.st2{fill:#fff}.st29{fill:#757575} Main Navigation Home Total Health Health topics How you can help prevent suicide August 20, 2021 How you can help prevent suicide When someone is struggling with suicidal thoughts, it can be hard to know what to do, but there are steps you can take to have a positive impact. Help is available for anyone considering suicide and for those who are concerned about a friend or loved one. If you thought a friend or loved one was considering suicide, what would you do? Thoughts of suicide, in addition to substance misuse and other mental health challenges, are on the rise — and it’s important to be prepared for these situations and to know how you can help. “We’re seeing an increase in suicidal ideation among teens and young adults since the pandemic started that’s quite dramatic,” said Cambria Bruschke, who holds a master’s degree in social work and is Kaiser Permanente’s national project lead for suicide prevention. In a June 2020 survey of more than 5,000 Americans, 11% said they had seriously considered suicide in the past 30 days. For respondents between 18 and 24 years old, the number was 25%. The statistics are alarming, but prevention works, and resilience and recovery are possible. Bruschke recommends specific, deliberate actions you can take to help support the people you love. Don’t be afraid to talk about suicide directly Whether you’re thinking about suicide or are concerned about someone else, the most important thing is to talk about it. If someone confides in you, you can listen and encourage them to seek help. “Some people worry that bringing up the topic of suicide with someone they are concerned about may put the idea in their mind,” said Bruschke, “but we know from the research that this isn’t the case. We need to be able to ask people directly if they’re having thoughts of harming themselves.” Don’t be afraid to be direct. If you’re concerned, you can ask: “Have you been thinking about suicide?” Check out Find Your Words for more suggestions about how to bring up the topic with friends and family members in a nonthreatening and nonjudgmental way. Educate yourself Take the time to learn about suicide. Learn what to say and what to do if someone you know is struggling. “One of my favorite campaigns is Take 5 to Save Lives,” said Bruschke, “which guides you through 5 simple things you can do to get involved and stay informed.” Know the warning signs Keep an eye out for any changes, especially in behavior. Listen for expressions of worthlessness, sadness, isolation, or anger. Watch for either acting out or withdrawal, especially in teenagers. Create safe places If someone you know has considered a specific method for self-harm, help by removing all easy access to that method from the immediate environment. For instance, if someone has considered using a gun for self-harm, removing all firearms or safely locking them away can make all the difference in a crisis. Any step that puts a barrier between thoughts of suicide and a potential means for acting on those thoughts creates the space for a different choice. Get help when needed Help and resources are available for anyone considering suicide and for people who are concerned about a friend or loved one. Kaiser Permanente members can get connected to care at kp.org/mentalhealth. For immediate help for any mental health crisis, including thoughts of suicide, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline If you feel like you can’t cope or that your life isn’t worth living — or if you need crisis resources for a loved one — get help now. People are available 24/7 to support you. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Crisis Text Line Text WORDS to 741741. Social Share Tags Self-care resources Mental health care Health and wellness Suicide Mental health Related Related November 24, 2021 5 things to know about COVID-19 and the vaccines Kids 5 and older have been cleared to get the COVID-19 vaccine, and boosters … November 23, 2021 COVID-19: The latest information Getting vaccinated can help end this pandemic. Kaiser Permanente Home News and views from one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Our Story Our care Research and innovation News and perspectives Our history Our people Total Health Mental health Health tips Food for health Health topics Community Health About Community Health Health access Community conditions Innovation Communities we serve Who We Are Leadership team Permanente Medicine Fast facts Annual reports Labor relations Contact us Related Sites KP.org Find a health plan Member assistance Permanente Medicine Institute for Health Policy Careers Connect Facebook Twitter LinkedIn YouTube Instagram Pinterest Feed Terms and Conditions Privacy Statement Site Policies