Support

Knowing what to say to someone who is contemplating suicide can be uncomfortable. We want to make them feel better but we don’t always know what to say. One thing that can be helpful, instead of giving advice, is to remind them of their accomplishments, how important they are to you, or maybe share some good memories you have of them.

People who are considering suicide are usually overwhelmed by emotions and feel all alone with them. It’s important to not let them be alone with their pain. According to trauma expert @gabormatemd, being alone with their pain is more traumatizing than the initial trauma. Even though advice seems like the right thing to do, it can come off as judgmental, condescending, or the advice might be overlooking some deeper wounds that make taking those steps impossible - leaving them feeling more hopeless and misunderstood.

One last thing…people who are feeling suicidal often feel like they are seen as weak or question their own sanity, but the truth is they are some of the strongest people who have survived situations that no human is built to face alone. If you are lucky enough to have one of these people in your life, remind them of their strength and how important they are to you. Show up or find someone else who will.

And if you are reading this and have/are contemplating suicide, I see you…I’m with you…it gets better.

#suicidepreventionmonth #bethe1to