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Understanding and Helping The Suicidal Individual	Top of Page
The United States Surgeon General has released a report calling for a national campaign to address suicide in this country. Suicide is the 8^th leading cause of reported death among adults in the United States. It is the 3^rd leading cause of death among young people. And, suicide is often an underreported cause of death. More than 30,000 people commit suicide each year in this country and another 600,000 reported are attempts are made. Suicide is the most preventable cause of death. Studies have found that 70% or more of those committing suicide have treatable mental health symptoms.


What can I do? The Surgeon General’s office and the American Association of Suicidology have released the following suggestions:
	Be aware – learn the warning signs. Get involved. Become available. Show interest and support. Ask if s/he is thinking about suicide. Be direct. Talk openly about this issue. Be willing to listen. Allow for the express of feelings. Be non-judgmental. Do not debate whether it is right or wrong or lecture. Do not dare him or her to act on their feelings. Do not be the advice giver who has all the answers. Do not ask why. Offer empathy not sympathy. Do not be shocked – this only creates distance. Do not be sworn to secrecy. Offer hope that is realistic and let him or her know that alternatives are available. Do take action – Remove the means and get help from individuals or agencies that specialize in crisis intervention and suicide prevention.
	*Additional Thoughts*
	Listen and support the parts of the person who shows the will to live and go on. Listen for and support the person’s strengths as they are presented. Sometimes these strengths show themselves in subtle ways such as the ability to endure much or the ability to reach out and talk to you in the midst of pain. Be willing to see yourself as the advocate and support person for the person at risk. You cannot necessarily change what they are thinking and feeling (only they can do that), but you can lend your support in the relationship with them. At times, the person at risk fears being alone and fears being in a relationship at the same.
	*Additional Resources*
	The Mental Health Center of North Iowa is a member of the American Association of Suicidology and has workshops and additional training information on this topic that can be arranged.