Suicide Protocol

1. Suicide Protocol

2. Start the conversation
Find
THE WORDS

3. Start the conversation
• Choose a place where there is privacy
• Have a list of crisis resources on hand
• Have ample time to spend with the
friend
• Mention the signs that prompted you to
ask about suicide
“I've noticed that you've mentioned feeling
hopeless a lot lately…”
"Sometimes when people feel like that,
they are thinking about suicide. Are you
thinking about suicide?“
"Are you thinking about ending your life?"

4. Listen with
empathy
• listen attentively, be calm
• show concern, care and warmth
• express respect for the person’s
opinions and values
• talk honestly and genuinely
• Focus on the person’s feelings
"I can imagine how tough this must be
for you. Well, maybe there's a chance
you won't feel this way forever. I can
help“
"I'm deeply concerned about you and I
want you to know that help is available
to get you through this."

5. WHAT
NOT TO
SAY/do
• All thoughts of suicide must be taken
seriously.
• Never leave someone who is feeling suicidal
on their own
• It is better to work collaboratively with the
person and others to ensure their safety,
rather than acting alone to prevent suicide
at any cost.
• Find out what has supported the person in
the past, and whether these supports are
still available.

6. • Express empathy for the person and
tell them that you care and want to
help
• Encourage the person to do most of
the talking and listen to them without
expressing judgment.
• Allow the person to talk about those
feelings, and their reasons for wanting
to die at any cost.
• Help the person to understand that
they have control over their suicidal
thoughts, and that these thoughts do
not need to be acted on.
How to
talk with
someone
who is
suicidal

7. How to
talk with
someone
who is
suicidal
• Ask if they are receiving help
for any emotional or mental
health problems.
• Clearly state that thoughts of
suicide may be caused by a
treatable disorder, as this may
instill a sense of hope for the
person.

8. WHAT NOT
TO SAY/do
• Don't ask in a way that
indicates you want "No" for
an answer
"You're not thinking about suicide,
are you?" OR,
"You're not thinking about doing
something stupid, are you?"

9. WHAT NOT
TO SAY/do "Fine! If you want to be selfish
and kill yourself then go right
ahead! See if I care."
• Don’t “dare” the suicidal person or
try reverse psychology

10. WHAT NOT
TO SAY/do "I care about you too much to
keep a secret like this. You need
help and I am here to help you
get it."
• Don’t promise total
confidentiality, or offer
reassurances that may not be
true.

11. WHAT NOT
TO SAY/do
• Don’t make moral judgments.
• Don’t argue or lecture.
• Don’t encourage guilt.
• Don’t minimize the problem or
offer simplistic solutions
• Don’t leave the person alone.
• Don’t do it alone.

12. Passing Time
During Crisis
• It is preferable that the person
chooses an activity which has been
found in the past to help them to
cope or that they enjoy.
• Encourage the person to spend time
with their significant others (e.g.
family, friends or religious leader).

13. CREATE A
SAFETY
PLAN
• Provide the person with
the resources you have
come prepared with.
• If you feel the situation is
critical, take the person to
a nearby Emergency
Room
• Inform the person's
TRUSTED friend or family

14. 1
2
3
4
5
Protectiv
e Factors
against suicide
Coping and problem-
solving skills
Cultural and religious
beliefs that discourage
suicide
Connections to friends,
family, and community
support
Availability of physical
and mental health
care
Facilitative & Supportive
Environment

15. Postvention: the
Aftermath of Suicide
Grief and Loss Stress
Reactions Physical Reactions
• Fatigue
• Nightmares
• Changes in appetite
• Insomnia
• Exhaustion
• Digestion problems
• Underactivity
• Hyperactivity
• Headaches
Cognitive
Reactions
• Difficulty concentrating
• Flashbacks
• Hyperfocusing on the
incident
• Difficulty solving problems
• Memory disturbance
• Difficulty making decisions
• Isolation
Emotional Reactions
• Fear
• Anxiety
• Anger
• Guilt
• Depression
• Irritability
• Emotional numbing
• Feelings of helplessness
• Frustration with bureaucracy
• Over-sensitivity
• Amnesia for the event
• Violent fantasies

16. RESPONSIBLE
REPORTING OF
SUICIDE

17. MEDIA CAN PLAY A
SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN EITHER
ENHANCING OR WEAKENING
SUICIDE PREVENTION
EFFORTS.

18. PROVIDE ACCURATE
INFORMATION ABOUT
WHERE TO SEEK HELP
EDUCATE THE PUBLIC
ABOUT THE FACTS OF
SUICIDE AND SUICIDE
PREVENTION, WITHOUT
SPREADING MYTHS
SHARE HOW TO COPE WITH
LIFE STRESSORS OR
SUICIDAL THOUGHTS, AND
HOW TO GET HELP

19. APPLY PARTICULAR
CAUTION WHEN TALKING
ABOUT CELEBRITY
SUICIDES
APPLY CAUTION WHEN
INTERVIEWING BEREAVED
FAMILY OR FRIENDS
RECOGNIZE THAT YOU YOURSELVES
MAY BE AFFECTED BY STORIES
ABOUT SUICIDE

20. DO NOT PLACE STORIES
ABOUT SUICIDE PROMINENTLY
AND DO NOT UNDULY REPEAT
SUCH STORIES
DO NOT USE LANGUAGE WHICH
SENSATIONALIZES OR
NORMALIZES SUICIDE, OR
PRESENTS IT AS A
CONSTRUCTIVE SOLUTION TO
PROBLEMS
DO NOT EXPLICITLY
DESCRIBE THE METHOD
USED

21. DO NOT PROVIDE DETAILS
ABOUT THE SITE/LOCATION
PARTICULAR CARE SHOULD BE
TAKEN BY MEDIA
PROFESSIONALS NOT TO
PROMOTE SUCH LOCATIONS AS
SUICIDE SITES BY
DO NOT USE SENSATIONAL
HEADLINES
DO NOT USE PHOTOGRAPHS,
VIDEO FOOTAGE OR DIGITAL
MEDIA LINKS

22. Grieving has no time limit
Provide support
Respect the bereaved family
Conduct a ceremony of letting go
Act normal yet sensitive to the situation
Be kind

23. Suicide is preventable.
Kindness
is the antidote