It’s Time to Talk: Empowerment Starts with You ePromotion - Day 4

Day 4: Know What to Do

The main thing to remember is to do something.  If you are concerned, get involved – ask the person if they need help, call the EAP or another resource to get advice on how to proceed, ask others for their thoughts and advice. You want to be prepared and that starts now. Educate yourself. Learn what you can.

The more you know, the better you are prepared to recognize the signs of suicidal behavior, help a person considering suicide, and possibly save a life. Resources are abundant and include your USPS EAP (www.EAP4YOU.com), Suicide Prevention Resource Center (www.sprc.org), National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (www.actionallianceforsuicideprevention.org), and National Alliance on Mental Illness (www.nami.org).

You can also commit to memory QPR. Question – Persuade – Refer. These 3 steps are important to take if you are concerned about someone.

Question: Ask the person if he/she is thinking about suicide.

Persuade: Talk to the person about getting help

Refer: Offer assistance in finding help with a local resource or their EAP.

Don’t just ignore the warning signs that you might be observing.

Know that if you suspect that a loved one or friend is thinking of suicide, it is alright to have a conversation. Ask, “are you depressed or thinking of hurting yourself?”. Be ready to listen and avoid judgments. Remember they are in pain and may not be able to see the love and support around them or the good things that life has to offer. When a person becomes suicidal, they often see the world with blinders and can only focus on ending the pain. First, let them know that you care. Let that person know their loss would hurt you. If you can convince them to go to the nearest hospital, call the suicide hotline or the EAP 800#, then try to get them to do that or dial the phone for them. Let them know that there is always help and hope. If you feel that they are in imminent danger of hurting themselves, please call 911. Do not leave the person alone until they have agreed to get help or are in a safe place.