Frequently Asked Questions

What should you do if someone tells you that they are thinking of suicide?

Suicide is preventable and should be taken seriously. If anyone expresses or shows warnings of their intention help them or help them seek help immediately. You have to be aware that most people considering suicide are going through a hard time and feel hopeless and thinks that there is no alternative solution. When someone tells you they are thinking of suicide listen non-judgmentally and help them get professional help.

Is it possible to predict suicide?

here is no definite measure to predict suicide or suicidal behavior. Though being aware of risk factors and warning signs can help detect someone at risk for suicide.

Why do people attempt suicide?

Many people attempt suicide for many different reasons. Attempting suicide is a huge warning sign that something is wrong in a person's life. Majority of people who have attempted or committed suicide had some time of underlying mental illness or substance abuse problem at the time of the incident.

Do people suicide to prove something or get sympathy?

A suicide attempt should always be taken seriously and never taken lightly because it is a sign that something is terribly wrong. The majority of people who attempt suicide are unsure that they want to die.

Apart from talking to a suicidal person and encouraging him or her to go for counseling, what else can we do to prevent this?

Going with them to counseling often helps.having someone who can convince them to go will help them get to a counselor. The decision of a suicide attempt is the desire to stop suffering. Never give up on someone just because they say they’ve made up their mind.

Why do people attempt suicide when they appear to feel better?

Some people that are contemplating suicide may be too tired to do it from depression and when they start to feel better it gives them the energy to do such activities but feelings of hopelessness remain and the energy that they regain may result in a suicide attempt.

Why do people avoid talking about mental illnesses like depression, bipolar disorder and suicide?

One of the main reasons is because there is a lack of understanding and stigma. People with disorders or illnesses fear that other people will think that they’re weak, crazy or somehow a lesser person.

What does 'suicide contagion' mean, and what can be done to prevent it?

Suicide contagion is the exposure to suicide or suicidal behaviors. This exposure can be caused from the media, family members, peer groups and can increase the suicidal behaviors someone may have. This can be prevented by the media not being repetitive about reports of suicide, and reports not be detailed in how the person did it.

Is my friend contemplating about suicide?

If you believe that your friend, family member, or loved one is about to commit suicide, call 911 immediately. These are warning signs to indicate that he or she may commit suicide.

If he/she talks about:

If his/hers behavior is:

If he/she displays the following moods:

His/Hers Mental health conditions:

His/Hers environmental factors:

His/Hers historical factors: