Do you think talking about suicide feels a little bit scary and uncomfortable? You are not alone! After all, most of us are not professionals in suicide prevention. We wonder—“What if we say the wrong thing?” “What if our words make the situation worse?”
The temptation to let Suicide Awareness Week sneak by without a mention or thought is tempting. After all, speaking about suicide is not an easy topic; for many, it hits close to home. Plus, we may think no one in our life is contemplating taking their life at this time, so why pay attention? But what if we are wrong?
Even though most of us are not professionals in suicide prevention, we need to equip ourselves to help. After all, who is the most likely to encounter someone struggling with thoughts of suicide? They are people like you and me, and we can’t solely leave the complicated conversation to the experts.
We are the ones that must be brave enough to start the conversation!
Bypassing the Topic
Avoiding the topic altogether is not going to help anyone. The reality is suicide rates are high. We all need to learn how to do our part, regardless of our fears or lack of training. We must prepare so we know what to say and do.
If we can't be brave and talk about suicide - the people we care about are at risk. Share on XOf course, there is a line between what a trained clinician is capable of doing and what a family member or friend can do. We must be sure to stay in our lane.
But we can’t let the fact that we are not professionals be an excuse for staying silent regarding suicide prevention.
We all can be a friend and show compassion. Our job is not to assess if someone is genuinely suicidal; that needs to be done by a professional. However, we can get the conversation started.
Five Steps to Help Prevent Suicide
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline has a great message for us on how we can do our part to help reduce suicide.
Click the picture above to take you to “How to Help Prevent Suicide.” The article will walk you through each step, explaining how to have a conversation about suicide and why it is necessary. Even if you have read it before, it is always a great idea to refresh your memory; after all, we are not professionals in this field. You will find a link to bring you back here to finish reading this post.
Why Wasn’t God Included in the Steps?
If you clicked over, you might wonder why there was little mention of God on the linked post. After all, Maree is a faith-based writer.
The only reason is—I used a simple message from BeThe1to on suicide prevention. It is a message which is beneficial regardless of your beliefs. After all, we know every life matters to God.
However, don’t think for a minute; God is not in every one of those steps. He is.
I am not a professional, and I couldn’t do the five steps without Him. When I hear that quiet voice inside me saying,
“Ask the question—Are you thinking of taking your own life?”
I begin to squirm, my palms start to sweat, and my desire to ignore the voice is strong. Doubts creep in, and I wonder—was that God’s voice or my worry taking over? Will I offend if I am wrong?
We must listen to the Lord’s voice and prompting and never underestimate His wisdom. He knows better than us, and it doesn’t have to make sense.
We don’t have to be an expert in the field to help suicide prevention.
I give God credit for prompting me to ask, act, and stand firm on more than one occasion. I was afraid, uncomfortable, and even a little concerned about being embarrassed. But I heard God’s whisper and obeyed even when it made no sense. He was right—intervention was needed. Some would call it luck, but I call it the Holy Spirit.
Suicide is a topic we can't afford to brush under the rug. Every life is worth saving—we know God thinks so. Share on XWe need to be in this together.
Together we can do hard things. No child, adult, or family should carry these thoughts, secrets, pain, or shame alone. Before a suicide attempt, everyone surrounding the hurting person is often emotionally tapped out. There is a good chance they have lost their perspective due to exhaustion. A fresh new set of eyes and energy might help save a life.
By educating ourselves and practicing, we can make a difference in helping to prevent future suicides.
Listen to God’s whispers and start talking to those you see struggling.
“The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8
Have you been reluctant to have a difficult conversation because you didn’t feel qualified? Will you help suicide prevention by learning how to talk to someone struggling?
You might be the one to save a life, and every life is worth saving.
Are You Struggling with Thoughts of Suicide?
Maybe you are reading this post and struggling with thoughts of suicide. Please know you matter. Reach out to someone and share your pain.
Call the Suicide Prevention number at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Suicide Loss Survivors
Even when we try our best, sometimes, we are not successful in preventing suicide. The five steps are not foolproof. Nor will we always hear a voice from God.
My prayers and heart go out to those of you suffering from this devastating kind of loss. Please be sure to seek out support. Surround yourself with friends, family, and seek professional help if needed. You matter too!
If someone you know has died by suicide, you might find this hope-filled presentation by Circles of Hope: Mental Health Support helpful. It was indeed a night of hope and healing as Kay Warren, co-founder of Saddleback Church and fellow suicide loss survivor, shared her journey in moving forward after the tragic loss of her son, Matthew. Click here to take you to the presentation.
Visit Our Suicide Awareness Page
September is Suicide Awareness Month—a time to raise awareness, break the stigma, and offer hope. Learn how you can recognize the signs, support those in need, and be part of the solution. Click to find a wealth of resources on suicide loss and prevention. Together, we can make a difference. Visit our Suicide Awareness Page for more information.
Embracing Faith & Mental Illness Community
Embracing Faith & Mental Illness is a Christ-centered online community for people who care for someone with a mental illness. We have four unique ways for caregivers to participate. You choose what works best for you.
Click here to discover four unique ways for caregivers to participate.
Marie thank you for sharing the importance of suicide with us. I do think it can be easy to sweep it under the blanke or think we’re just imagining things. But just think of the lives that can be saved if we’re all educated with the signs and causes and struggles of suicide and mental illness.
Amen! The more we share and learn, the more lives we will save. Thank you for stoping by to read. Maree
Thank you. This is important and often overlooked!
Thank you for stopping by to read. I hope you had a great weekend. Maree
Maree,
This is an EXCELLENT recap of tips to prevent suicide. I also appreciated clicking over to “warning signs.” What really struct me is that we can help someone to get through and past the moment of taking their life. The overwhelming feelings will pass and often getting someone to open up difuses the emotional thundercloud. I’ve logged the hotline in my phone because we never know when God might put us in someone’s path to help save them. Thanks so much for sharing!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Bev, Thank you for your encouragement and for adding the number to your phone. You are so right. We never know when God will place someone in our lives, and it always surprises me, so I am happy when I’m ready. One thing I learned this week is to slow down and listen more. Maree
Thank you for this, Maree. I lost classmates by it.
Aritha, I am so sorry. Thank you for sharing and stopping by to read about suicide prevention. Maree
Thank you, Maree, for your willingness to step up and address this fraught topic. We recently had a very scary situation within my extended family, and so far everyone is safe, but I know that is not a guarantee for the future.
Michele,
I am so glad to hear the person in your extended family is safe. My heart always breaks when I hear that someone is in that much pain. Praying for your person right now. Maree
Having been that person to want to end her life when younger, and then the trained clinician to help others combat the thoughts when older, it’s never easy to take on. It’s a tough conversation, but so necessary. There are some good resources I recommend though, one being the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale… professionals use it but it can be helpful to know what kind of questions you can ask from it to see how intense the ideation is. There are also courses like Mental Health First Aid that anyone can take to become better equipped. Thanks for posting on this topic Maree.
Katie,
Thank you for adding resources and being vulnerable with your journey. I will take a look at what you recommended. I have wanted to take the Mental Health First Aid for years. I need to look into it.
Maree
God will equip each us to do what we can, even if it’s call for additional help while we love the hurting person. Thanks for this encouragement.
Donna,
You are so right; God will equip. Thank you for your words of encouragement.
Blessings,
Maree
Maree, thank you for addressing this very sensitive topic. I love the verse you ended with in Hebrews 6 — it reminds me that because I have this Hope, I can be quick to pass it on. We just never know who’s struggling and how our presence and brave words can help.
And by the way, I love seeing your beautiful face! I’m so glad you took that brave step. 🙂
Blessings to you,
Marva | SunSparkleShine
Marva,
You are so right. We never do know how our presence and brave words may help. However, God does.
Thank you for your kind words about my picture and for being brave. If you feel led a little prayer and protection around it would be great.
Blessings,
Maree
More and more this kind of article is necessary. Thank you for your insights and resources.
Yes, of course. Thank you for leaving a comment. Maree
Thank you for this, Maree! Our youngest son’s best friend took his own life. He was such a wonderful boy. I had no idea he struggled the way he did. It didn’t show. We can’t assume that just because it doesn’t show that we shouldn’t have the conversation.
Pinned & tweeted.
Thanks for linking up at InstaEncouragements!
Patsy, I am so sorry for your loss. I bet it has been hard for your son and all of you. It is so hard to know or understand what another is going through. We just never know. Thank you for sharing. It fuels my passion for keeping at it. Maree
Thanks for raising this topic and sharing this advice, Maree! It is so important! When I was having these kinds of conversations with a friend, around five years ago, I definitely felt ill-equipped so I hope this will help others!
Lesley, The good news is you were willing to have this conversation. So many people won’t venture there. I am glad you would. You are a good friend. Maree
Thank you for sharing such a great post and wealth of resources. And for sharing the best “resource” of all, the Holy Spirit’s nudging in our hearts. Through these days with chronic illness, I have faced thoughts heading towards suicide that I never thought I could have. But the Holy Spirit is what pulled me through, and in turn is growing an even deeper compassion towards those who have had suicide impact their families. May the Lord turn our hearts toward His love and compassion even more.
Bettie,
Thank you for sharing your own struggle. It helps others to not feel so alone. I can only imagine how living with a chronic illness would be so difficult and exhausting. I am so glad you lean into the Holy Spirit. Don’t stop. We need you!
Maree
Maree, this is a wonderful guide to help point people in the direction of being ready to talk with someone struggling with the emotional pain associated with suicidal thoughts. With me working for the crisis line, it is so very important that we don’t shy away from this subject. God will absolutely help you find the words to say and the ears to really listen to what they say and discernment for what they don’t say. At the same time, it is so good to educate ourselves and have resources that we can point them towards. Thank you for your heart that cares deeply for others!
April, Thank you for working the crisis line. What a gift you are to others. There is nothing like getting a voice on the other end, willing to walk with you. You are so right God will give us the words. Blessings, Maree