How To Reach Out When Someone You Know May Be At Risk Of Suicide
Experts say there are ways that family and friends can support people who may be contemplating suicide. Tara Moore/Getty Images hide caption
Experts say there are ways that family and friends can support people who may be contemplating suicide.
Tara Moore/Getty ImagesIf you or someone you know may be considering suicide, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (En Español: 1-888-628-9454; Deaf and Hard of Hearing: 1-800-799-4889) or the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.
Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S. But research shows that suicide is preventable. Host Emily Kwong talks with NPR health correspondent Rhitu Chatterjee about the signs that someone you know may be thinking about dying, the ways you can support them, and how to possibly prevent suicide.
To read more of the story, find Rhitu's reporting from our colleagues on the web and at Life Kit.
If You Need Help: Resources
If you or someone you know is in crisis and need immediate help, call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or go here for online chat.
- Find 5 Action Steps for helping someone who may be suicidal, from the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
- Six questions to ask to help assess the severity of someone's suicide risk, from the Columbia Lighthouse Project.
- To prevent a future crisis, here's how to help someone make a safety plan.
Other resources and programs:
- National Alliance On Mental Illness — for local peer support groups
- The Trevor Project — confidential support for crisis intervention and suicide prevention services geared towards LGBTQ+ people under 25
You can email us at ShortWave@npr.org.
This episode was produced by Thomas Lu, edited by Gisele Grayson, and fact checked by Rasha Aridi. The audio engineer was Gilly Moon.