When it comes to suicide, silence can be deadly. If you know someone is thinking about suicide, tell some one.

If the person is in imminent danger, poised with a plan and a method to kill themselves, call the police at once. Even if they have told you not to talk about what they’ve told you, you must call the police because the person is a danger to his or herself.

If the person has been talking about suicide but does not yet have a plan or method to kill themselves you still need to tell someone you trust.

• Tell the person’s family member. Tell a clergy person or a counselor. If the person is a student tell their teacher or guidance counselor.
• Help the person call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline (1-800-784-2433).
• If the person is a child between the ages of 5 and 18, tell the parent and have them call Children’s Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (1-877-652-7624 This is a service for all counties in New Jersey).
• Take them to a hospital emergency room to get psychiatric screening. There are many people trained to help someone contemplating suicide. Ask and you will find them.

If you are thinking about committing suicide, find someone who will listen. Several years ago chronic depression, unresolved childhood trauma, and career problems combined to push me into a state of despair and hopelessness. I saw no solution for the emotional pain I was in. I thought alot about driving my car into a cement abutment or purchasing a gun with which to blow my brains out. I hurt so bad that all I wanted was for the pain to end.

When my thoughts of suicide became persistent I knew it ws time to find someone who would listen. Thankfully I had a wonderful counselor who helped me through that very dark time in my life. With the support of my therapist, my wife, and my pastor I was eventually able to walk out of the valley of despair I was in. Today I’m so glad I found someone who listened to me. The problems that overwhelmed me are either resolved and under control. I still have problems and pain, but my persepctive on them is much healthier. I am here today because I reached out for help and someone listened to me.

Silence can be deadly.Speak out to prevent suicide.