Suicide Prevention

Building a Suicide Prevention Safety Plan for Yourself 

A suicide prevention safety plan is a written set of instructions that you create for yourself as a contingency plan should you begin to experience thoughts about harming yourself. It will contain a series of gradually escalating steps that you will follow, proceeding from one step to the next, until […]

Self-care for a Suicide Attempt Survivor Caregiver

  • Woman holding a coffee mug looking out a window

“If you don’t do things to keep your cup full, you have nothing left to give others.”  This seems like a pretty practical and obvious “life lesson”. Unfortunately, it’s all too easy to forget when you’re caring for a someone experiencing suicidal ideation. It seems impossible to think of self-care […]

When Children Ask About Suicide  

  • Woman holding sons hand walking to school

Most people associate youth suicides with the teenage years, but pre-teens are also vulnerable. In 2018, suicide was the second leading cause of death for children aged 10 to 14 in the United States. It’s important for parents to be prepared to discuss suicidal ideation with preteens as well as older adolescents.   […]

Suicide – How long does the crisis last?  

  • Man sitting and watching the sky

A 2007 study involving interviews with 153 attempt survivors revealed that most suicidal crises are short-lived. Participants were asked how long they thought about suicide before making their attempt. The results were:   Less than 5 minutes: 24%  5 to 19 minutes: 24%  2-8 hours: 16%  1 or more days: 13%   Another […]

What to Expect- Bringing a Loved One Home after a Suicide Attempt 

  • Woman sitting and holding someone's hand

When you take a loved one to the ER after a suicide attempt, the visit is extremely stressful but it can also be a relief. As long as you’re at the ER someone else is in charge. While you’re there, once the physical crisis is over, you know that your loved one is safe.  When it’s time to take them […]