Tips to Prevent Suicide: How to Help Someone in Crisis
Psychiatrist Marc Lener, MD, shares ways to help someone in crisis to prevent suicide, including recognizing the signs of suicidal ideation.
When a suicide happens, it can affect an entire community. Throughout history, people have often felt powerless to stop suicides, but recently, researchers have stressed that suicide is often preventable. Improving awareness of suicide and reducing the stigma of treatment could allow more people to get help — which can prevent suicide.
If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK for free and confidential help 24 hours a day. For more information, visit Mental Health: Your GoodRx Guide.
- Marc Lener, MDMarc Lener, MD, is a psychiatrist and founder of the Singula Institute in New York City.
References
#BeThe1To. (n.d.). How and why the 5 steps can help. #BeThe1To.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). #BeThere to help prevent suicide.
National Institute of Mental Health. (2022). Suicide prevention.
For additional resources or to connect with mental health services in your area, call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357. For immediate assistance, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, or text HOME to 741-741 to reach the Crisis Text Line.
