Suicide Prevention Month: Check Up on Your Friends
According to the World Health Organization, close to 800,000 people die due to suicide each year. That equates to one person every forty seconds. How can this be prevented? First off, one must look for the signs.
Someone who is suicidal may talk about killing or harming themself, writing about death/dying, or seek out things that could be used in a suicide attempt, such as weapons or drugs. Also, major mood swings are another huge sign. If someone you know suddenly begins to morph into a completely different person, whether behaviorally or physically, you should definitely check up on them as they may be struggling mentally.
Second, though it may be a difficult topic, if you have even the slightest concern that someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, it is crucial to carefully start a conversation about it. One could casually ease into this by saying things like, “Is everything alright? You haven’t seemed like yourself lately,” or “Hey, I wanted to check in on you and ask how you’re doing.” Even noticing that one person cares can make a monumental difference for someone struggling with such feelings.
Lastly, listen to them. Rather than arguing by saying things like, “You have so much to live for,” or “Think about your friends and family,” let them give their point of view. One of the reasons they’re having these thoughts is possibly because they don’t feel truly seen or heard. Therefore, ignoring what they have to say and going against it won’t do anything except make it harder on them.
It can be quite difficult to recognize these signs, but they are much more common than you may think. Taking a little time out of your day to ask your family or friends how their day was, can truly make the world of difference. The theme of this past suicide prevention month is simple: check up on your friends.
Counselors at Dana are still able to help during the closure due to COVID-19. For more information on how to get in contact if you are struggling, follow this link to the Counselor’s Corner on the Dana Hills High School Homepage:
https://dhhs.schoolloop.com/pf4/cms2/view_page?d=x&group_id=1531973257983&vdid=lig9f1xpl3x01rj
988: a shorter number to call
Since this piece ran, reaching help in the United States has become simpler. In July 2022 the national crisis line added a three-digit number, 988, alongside the 1-800 number that had existed since 2005. Calls go to the nearest crisis center in a national network, where trained counselors offer immediate support and referrals to local mental health services, 24 hours a day.
The line is also meant for people who are calling about someone else. That matches the advice in this story: if you are worried about a friend and do not know what to say, you can call 988 and talk it through. Canada launched its own 988 service on November 30, 2023.
Sources: Wikipedia, “988 (telephone number)”.
Questions readers ask
What number do you call for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline?
In the United States, call 988. The three-digit number was added in July 2022, and calls are routed to the nearest crisis center in the network, staffed 24/7 by trained crisis counselors.
Can I call 988 if I am worried about a friend?
Yes. The service supports people calling about their own crisis and people calling about someone they care about.