Know What To Do

Because people especially youth aren’t always able to understand and explain their feelings, as a friend we must be more vigilant in understanding the ways depression and suicide, and work to get them the help they need.

IF YOU THINK A SOMEONE MAY BE SUICIDAL…

Ask questions about suicide like, “Do you ever…

• …have thoughts of hurting yourself?”

• …feel so badly that you have thoughts of dying?”

• …wish you could runaway or disappear?”

• …wish you could go to sleep and not wake up?”

• …have scary dreams about dying?”

HOW TO HELP

• Educate them about depressive illnesses and suicide.

• Assure them that they can feel better, that suicidal thoughts are only temporary, and that there are people who can help them.

• Always take suicidal tendencies seriously and respond immediately.

• Know that early intervention is the key to successful treatment for people who suffer from depressive illnesses.

• Understand that treatment should be a team-approach including a psychotherapist, a child/adolescent psychiatrist, parents, relatives, caregivers, school personnel, friends, babysitters, neighbors and other significant people in the child’s life.