Premier wants you to know that there are ways that you can help.

There are basic steps you can take to help prevent suicide. Here is a recap of these steps with more details following below.

1. Learn the signs – Take a few minutes to learn the warning signs of suicide.
2. Reach out – Know what to say and do if someone you care about is suicidal.
3. Support and follow up – Help is available and recovery is possible.

Step 1 – Learn the signs

If you see or hear someone exhibiting one or more of these behaviors, please contact a mental health professional or hotline:

● Hopelessness
● Rage, uncontrolled anger, seeking revenge
● Acting reckless or engaging in risky activities without thinking
● Feeling trapped, like there’s no way out
● Increase alcohol or drug use
● Withdrawing from friends, family, and society
● Anxiety, agitation, unable to sleep or sleeping all the time
● Dramatic mood changes

Step 2 – Reach out

Here, we learn how to help someone who may be struggling with suicidal thoughts. The most important thing to do is to ASK the person directly if they are thinking about suicide.

Be direct. Use specific words like, “suicide,” “kill yourself,” “take your life”

Ask:

• Have you had thoughts of suicide?
• Do you ever feel so bad that you think about suicide?
• Do you have a plan to kill yourself or take your life?
• Have you thought about when you would do it (today, tomorrow, next week)?”
• Have you thought about what method you would use?

Step 3 – Support and follow up

Respond with kindness and care. Always take the person seriously.

What to do:

• Stay calm
• Acknowledge that they are in pain and that their pain is real.
• Convey care
• Stay with the person
• Remove sharp objects or lethal means
• Go with the person to the ER or mental health clinic
• Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255.

At Premier Medical Group, we’ll help you improve your overall health. It is all a part of  “Full Circle Care.” Contact us today.