How to talk about suicide, listen & connect people with help

Choose a quiet place and a time when neither of you will feel rushed.

Demonstrate empathy: show you care. Focus on listening and acknowledging their feelings, and not trying to change their perspective.

Ask sensitive but direct questions, such as:

• “How are you coping these days?”
• “Do you ever feel like just giving up?”
• “Are you thinking about hurting yourself?”
• “Have you thought about suicide?”
• “Have you planned how you would do it?”

Support the individual to seek professional help.

Listening to the individual you are concerned about and connecting them to supports are the most important things you can do to help.

• "Failed attempt" can be heard as "I'm a failure. I can't even kill myself right."
• "Committed suicide" can be heard as "I feel like a criminal. I'm a criminal if I die by suicide."
• "Unsuccessful attempt" can be heard as "if I died, I'd be a success. Surviving means I'm unsuccessful."
• Consider language such as "died by suicide" and “suicide attempt" instead.

Learn more about how to help someone if you’re concerned they are thinking about suicide

• To reach the Interior Health Mental Health and Substance Use centre nearest you, call 310-MHSU
• For immediate help 24/7, call 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)
• If you or your friend is in crisis and not sure what to do, call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency department

Interior Health mental health supports

Vocabulary tips to talk about suicide