Staying mentally fit is as important as staying physically fit. Still, people ignore mental health whether it is about themselves or their dear and loved ones. They don’t see mental health issues as threats and try to continue their daily chores and official work without getting any mental health counseling. Though people know Florida as a place where home buyers dream to buy a beach house and vacationers go to relax and enjoy, you will be surprised to know that around 660,000 adults and 181,000 children in Florida live with serious mental health illnesses and issues.
When people with mental health illnesses are not treated or counseled, their issues get more aggravated and life-threatening over time. Mental health counseling can help them get better and live their life with a new perspective.
Since suicide is a serious problem in the US and around the world, in this blog, we will talk about how to help people with suicidal thoughts. Reading this guide can help you save the life of someone you know, love and care for if they are going through low times. So, let’s begin.
1. Ask If Suicidal Thoughts Come to Their Mind
Most people are afraid of asking this because it is often a difficult conversation and they also worry that they will plant the idea into someone’s mind. However, this is not the case. In fact, asking frankly about suicidal thoughts actually decreases thoughts of suicide.
Make sure that the other person understands that you are not there to judge them but you are there to support them.
Apart from this, you can also ask other questions, such as how are you handling all the things going on in your life? Do you want to give up? Do you ever think about not living anymore? And once you ask these questions, be ready to hear their answers patiently.
2. Listen to Them and Stay Connected Anyhow
If the person gives any slight indication of wanting to die, don’t go. Stay with them for longer whether by phone or in-person. It is that crucial time when they need someone to listen to them and to be with them. Talk about their experiences and help them vent out their feelings. If you cannot help them at that moment, ask someone who is nearby and can support the person.
3. Ensure Their Safety by Eliminating Risk Factors
Once you get someone to help them or you are there to help them, it’s time to get the person to safety. If they are not sharing anything with you, it’s better to take them for professional mental health counseling without waiting anymore. If you somehow manage to understand how they would die if it were to happen, establish the safety immediately by putting time and distance between the person and that method.
4. Help them Get Mental Health Counseling
You might be able to keep the person safe for some time, but the person still needs further help. If you haven’t taken them for mental health counseling yet, then do it now. It’s important because you might understand that the person needs help, but it could be difficult to know what kind of help that person actually needs. If the person has a specific plan for that very moment and they are in more immediate danger, call National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
However, if the person has passive suicidal thoughts and is thinking of doing it in the future or they are not sure, they will benefit from contacting a mental health counselor.
Your work is not done here yet. Even when they are getting mental health counseling, you should keep in touch with them, check their state of mind, and ask if they are feeling better, if counseling is going fine, and if they still have suicidal thoughts. Share the feedback with the counselor and be sure that the person is compatible with the counselor. If not, it’s better that you look for some other counselor who can help the person.