Part 2: SAY

2. SAY – Talking About Suicide

How to Talk About Suicide?

• Be direct: Use the word ‘suicide’ and avoid vague or evasive terms. Being direct prevents confusion and shows that it is not a taboo subject for you.
• Listen without judgment: Acknowledge feelings without immediately offering solutions. Instead of saying, “Why don’t you just go exercise?” or “Think of your parents!” ask, “Why do you feel this way?”
• Take your time to establish good contact and give the other person time. This may be the first time they are discussing a long-standing struggle. Try to understand why someone feels hopeless.
• Don’t be afraid to ask the wrong question. If you treat the person with respect, little can go wrong.
• Conclude the conversation well. Ask what the other person plans to do next—not just in the long term, but immediately after your talk.