Add One More: Suicide Prevention, number 9

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. —

9. Add one more.

People who are high risk for suicide often will isolate themselves. This can be because of their symptoms of mental illness that effect their ability to be in social settings. However, reach out to people who you know are struggling.

Add one more chair to the dinner table, inviting them to join you. Be persistent in your efforts to connect. One teen told me that when she was feeling suicidal, her friends didn’t want to hang out with her because she wasn’t “fun” anymore.

Add one more place to include someone who needs to be reminded that they are not alone.