3 steps to prevent suicide

Lifeline provides a 3 step process for suicide prevention, which can be seen below:

1) Ask

If you think someone might be suicidal, ask them directly “Are you thinking about suicide?” Don’t be afraid to do this, it shows you care and will actually decrease their risk because it shows someone is willing to talk about it. Make sure you ask directly and unambiguously.

2) Listen and stay with them

If they say ‘yes’, they are suicidal, listen to them and allow them to express how they are feeling. Don’t leave them alone. Stay with them or get someone else reliable to stay with them.

3) Get help

Get them appropriate help. Call a crisis line like Lifeline 13 11 14 or 000 if life is in danger. If you can get in straight away visit a GP or psychologist. Even if the danger is not immediate they may need longer term support for the issues that led to them feeling this way.

More Information

There is an abundance of resources to support yourself in difficult mental predicaments. Sometimes it can be overwhelming. Please the links below for a summary of helpful information and tools, to educate yourself and potentially provide help to yourself and others when managing suicidal thoughts.

Self Help Tools