Suicide Prevention Tips: 6 Ways You Can Help Prevent Suicide by Heather Holter

Every month should be Suicide Prevention Month. Let's help prevent it! How? Here are six ways:

• Talk about it! If the subject is less taboo, more depressed people can be reached. It won't increase suicide rates either. 

• Be kind. Love others! Give compliments! Smile! If someone is depressed, the smallest insult can push them to act on it and the smallest kindness may help them live another day.

• Notice signs in friends and family. Talk to them about it and encourage them to get help through mental health services or by calling the National Suicide Hotline at 1 800 273-TALK.

• Help someone struggling to find meaning or a cause to support. If people feel useful, they are less likely to die by suicide.

• Be a friend, shoulder to cry on, ear to listen to those you know are struggling. It helps a lot to have a way to get the feeling out and makes the depressed person feel cared for.

• If you have had these struggles yourself in the past share your story. If it becomes more common, less people will need to suffer alone.

Learn the suicide warning signs and share the National Suicide Hotline number: 1 800 273-TALK.

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