How to Help a friend - What Not To Do

What To Do
What Not To Do
B1
Warning Signs
How To Ask
Resources For Help

Just as there are things that you can do to help your friend, there are some things that you should NOT do:

 

  • Don’t promise to keep a suicide threat secret- Your friend may ask you not to tell anyone about their suicidal threats. They may even ask you to promise not to tell. Do not make that promise, TELL someone.
  • Don’t be afraid to ask- Is my friend thinking about suicide or are they just going through a "bad time"? Sometimes it’s difficult to tell the difference. The warning signs for suicide may be the same as signs for other problems. Don’t be afraid to ask. Even if they are not thinking about suicide, they may still need your help.
  • Don’t say, "I know how you feel."- You don’t know what/how the person is feeling. Listen to what they have to say.
  • Don’t ignore your friend- It takes courage to ask for help so don’t brush off your friend’s appeal for help. If you ignore your friend, it may discourage them from seeking help from someone else.
  • What if it’s me?
    Follow the same steps. Tell someone. Ask for help.