The topic of suicide can be scary to talk about. However, being able to talk about suicide openly and honestly is the best way to prevent it from happening. No one who reaches out about having suicidal thoughts or feelings should be worried about feeling judged or ashamed of how they feel.
The best thing for students to do when experiencing suicidal thoughts or feeling is to find someone that they can talk to about those thoughts and feelings. Students might feel more comfortable talking to a friend or peer, but it is important to find an adult to talk to in order to get the best help and find appropriate resources to help the person in crisis.
It is often times difficult to know what warning signs to look for because not everyone that suffers with suicidal ideation presents in the same manner. Sometimes it can look like a shift in mood, going from extremely happy to extremely sad (or vice versa). For others, it can include withdrawing from normal activities or being more irritable than usual. A lot of times, words or phrases, not just actions, that someone uses might be an indicator of how they are feeling as well.
If someone you know expresses suicidal thoughts or feelings, it is important to listen and show your support. Let them know that you care and that you want to help. You do not need to feel like you have to “fix” the problem or offer advice. The best thing you can do is just listen.
Counselors are trained to assess students and know what to do if someone is expressing suicidal thoughts or feelings. There are also other resources for anyone 24/7: Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Text or Call 988. This lifeline is available in both English and Spanish.