GETTING HELP FOR SUICIDAL THOUGHTS

1. Share The Love.

Let your friend know that you care for them and that you would like to help them.
Be direct and open about suicide.
Listen and accept their feelings.
Don’t correct or judge their thoughts and feelings.
Don’t promise not to tell anyone. This prevents you and your loved one from seeking support.

2. Ask About Their Plan.

Contrary to popular opinion, asking someone about their suicide intentions or plans does not increase the chances of suicide happening. Rather, bringing it up can help the person feel safe enough to talk about their feelings and thoughts and get help.
How much have they been thinking about suicide?
Do they have a specific plan on how to commit suicide?
Do they intend to carry out the plan?
The more frequent and intense the suicide ideation, and the more specific the plan is, the higher the risk the individual is going to commit suicide.

3. Take Action.

Explore other options other than suicide.
Talk about their reasons to live vs. to die. Highlight what there is to live for.
If possible, remove their means of committing suicide (e.g. pesticides).
Sign a no-suicide contract.
Don’t assume that they will get better without help or that they will seek help on their own.

4. Get Help.

Make an appointment with a medical health professional (GP, Psychiatrist, Psychologist or Counsellor) and offer to go along.
If the risk is imminent, go to the Emergency Room (UM or HUKM). Private hospitals in Malaysia do not handle suicide emergency cases.

5. Self-Care

It is emotionally draining to provide care for someone who is suffering from mental health problems, and/or suicidal.
You can only give as much care as you are cared for. Find someone to talk things over with.

Strength is not in bearing the burden alone, but in bearing the burden together. For yourself and for your loved one.