Life Is Worth Living
How Can You HelpSomeone Who Seems Suicidal?
What should you do if someone confides in you that he wants to commit suicide? "Be a good listener," advises the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Let him express how he feels. In many cases, though, a suicidal person is withdrawn and not communicative. Acknowledge the reality of the pain or hopelessness that he is undergoing. If you gently mention some particular changes that you have noticed in his behavior, you may move him to open up and confide in you.
While listening, show empathy. "It is important to stress that the person's life is important to you and to others," says the CDC. Let him know how his death would devastate you as well as others. Help the person to see that his Creator cares about him.—1 Peter 5:7.
Experts also recommend removing anything that the person might use to commit suicide—firearms in particular. If the situation seems serious, you may want to encourage the person to seek medical attention. In extreme cases you may have little choice but to summon some kind of emergency medical service yourself.
Return to You Can Find Help
Appeared in Awake! October 22, 2001
Copyright © 2009 Watch Tower Bible and
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