Listen. And Then Listen Some More. Suicide Prevention, number 6

In an emergency, contact:

Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Psychiatric hospital walk-in clinic
Hospital emergency room
Urgent care center/clinic
Call 911

Suicide.

Suicide prevention.

Friend and colleague Sara Lund recently listed 10 things each of us can do that will help save lives. It’s with her gracious permission that I share them with you here.

We’re going to take this list slowly.

Please read, absorb, apply as needed and then repeat as needed.

Please. —

6. Listen and then listen some more.

Pay close attention to how people express themselves. Listen for ways that people communicate their emotional state. If you think a person might be considering self-harm, ask them. And listen to what they say. Listen to what they say and to what they don’t say.