Tips for suicide prevention: Don’t avoid the topic

If you are concerned, ask someone if they are thinking of killing themselves.

Tips for suicide prevention: Don’t avoid the topic

    • If you are concerned, ask someone if they are thinking of killing themselves. Do not avoid the topic.
    • Keep phone numbers and websites for suicide prevention resources handy.
    • Volunteer at schools or through sports, clubs and other youth activities. Trusted adults play a vital role in helping children and teens.
    • Talk to your children about how to talk to a friend who expresses hopelessness or suicidal thoughts. Children should acknowledge their friend’s pain, show they care and tell an adult.
    • It can be hard to tell the difference between typical emotional highs and lows of adolescence and a serious emotional problem. Don’t assume depression or anxiety are temporary.
    • If someone talks about harming themselves, take them seriously.
    • Warning signs of suicide include comments about wanting to die, feeling hopeless or purposeless, feeling trapped or showing rage or other extreme moods. Changing sleep habits, reckless behavior, alcohol and drug use; withdrawing or isolating themselves also can be signs.
    • It is common for people who attempt suicide to say they felt they were a burden to others. Make it clear that talking about serious concerns or emotional upheaval is not a burden.
    • Children and teens may have a hard time differentiating facial expressions and emotions, and might confuse worry or weariness with anger. Tell your child that you are not mad at them for how they feel.
    • If someone is showing signs of suicide: Do not leave them alone; remove any firearms, drugs, alcohol or sharp objects; and call for help or take them to an emergency room.

Resources

There are free and confidential resources for people in crisis or who know someone in crisis.

If there is an immediate danger, call 911.

Care Crisis Chat: imhurting.org (chat); 800-584-3578 (call); 425-258-4357 (text, Tues-Thurs 8 a.m. – 11 p.m.)

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255, suicidepreventionlifeline.org

The Trevor Project Lifeline for LGBTQ Youth: thetrevorproject.org, 866-488-7386

Globe, countywide group for LGBTQ youth: globeyouth.com

Out of the Darkness walk: 10:15 a.m. Sept. 29, 2018, at Everett’s Box Car park: bit.ly/2vH3tcE; ootdeverett@gmail.com

Mental Health First Aid courses: mentalhealthfirstaid.org

Snohomish Health District: snohd.org/SuicidePrevention

Compass Health’s Crisis Prevention and Intervention Team may be contacted from 8 a.m. to midnight daily by calling the Volunteers of America crisis line: 1-800-584-3578.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: afsp.donordrive.com.

Talk to us

More in Local News

Funko mascots Freddy Funko roll past on a conveyor belt in the Pop! Factory of the company's new flagship store on Aug. 18, 2017.  (Dan Bates / The Herald)
Lawsuit: Funko misled investors about Arizona move

A shareholder claims Funko’s decision to relocate its distribution center from Everett to Arizona was “disastrous.”

Lynnwood
1 stabbed at apartment in Lynnwood

The man, 26, was taken to an Everett hospital with “serious injuries.”

A firefighting helicopter carries a bucket of water from a nearby river to the Bolt Creek Fire on Saturday, Sep. 10, 2022, on U.S. Highway 2 near Index, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Red flag fire warning issued west of Cascades

There are “critical fire weather” conditions due to humidity and wind in the Cascades, according to the National Weather Service.

A house fire damaged two homes around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 6, 2023 in Marysville, Washington. (Photo provided by Marysville Fire District)
Fire burns 2 homes in Marysville, killing 2 dogs

Firefighters responded to a report of a fire north of Lakewood Crossing early Tuesday, finding two houses engulfed in flames.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Mountlake Terrace in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Mountlake Terrace eyes one-time projects for $2.4M in federal funds

Staff recommended $750,000 for a new roof and HVAC at the library, $250,000 toward a nonprofit facility in Lynnwood and more.

The Snohomish River turns along the edge of the Bob Heirman Wildlife Preserve at Thomas’ Eddy on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
To build a healthier Snohomish River, more log jams

About $2.8M in grants will help engineer log jams, tear down levees and promote salmon restoration at Bob Heirman Wildlife Preserve.

Dave "Bronco" Erickson stands next to the pink-and-purple 1991 Subaru Justy hatchback “Pork Chop Express” car that he is seeking to re-home for $500. The car has been on Whidbey Island for years, mainly as yard art. (Andrea Brown / The Herald)
For sale: Whidbey’s fabled ‘Pork Chop Express’ gets great smileage

Asking price is $500 for the 1991 Subaru Justy, a three-cylinder econobox with 65K miles and a transmission as rare as hen’s teeth.

Ciscoe Morris, a longtime horticulturist and gardening expert, will speak at Sorticulture. (Photo provided by Sorticulture)
Get your Sorticulture on: Garden festival returns to downtown Everett

It’s a chance to shop, dance, get gardening tips, throw an axe and look through a big kaleidoscope. Admission is free.

Marysville
Marysville resident sentenced to 15 years for fentanyl operation

Jose Eduardo Garnica received a shipment from China labeled “Furniture Parts.” It had fentanyl-manufacturing parts.

Most Read