How to Help
Friendships are an important bond, offering us a place to be honest and share without the fear of feeling judged. Sometimes, a friend might share something really heavy — such as that they are struggling with finding purpose, reasons for living, and are thinking about suicide. It can be difficult to know how to respond in these moments, but there are important steps you can take to offer support and help keep those you care about safe.
If someone you know is struggling, one of the most important things you can do is talk to a trusted adult or connect your friend (or yourself) to help by calling a crisis line. While you may worry about breaking your friend’s trust by going to an adult, it’s important to remember that their safety should come first. If you aren’t sure whether a friend is in need of help, you can also express your concerns directly by asking “Are you thinking about suicide?” (Asking this question will not put thoughts of suicide in their head, and it is important to talk about mental health and suicide openly).
Another way you can support those in your life is by learning about suicide warning signs. Some of the most common are talking about or making plans for suicide, expressing hopelessness about the future, withdrawing from social connections, and recent changes in mood (such as increased anger or irritability that seem out of context). If you sense something is off with someone — especially if the behavior is new, has escalated, or is related to a painful life event — take it seriously, reach out, and connect them to help.
Learning that someone in your life is thinking about suicide can be scary, but it’s important to stay calm and take their feelings seriously. Listen without judgment, encourage them to speak openly and get support, and do what you can to prioritize safety and help connect them to a professional or other trusted adult. There are also a lot of great resources you can point a friend to — or use to get support for yourself if needed. The links below are all a great place to start if you ever need to talk to someone or are worried about someone exhibiting suicide warning signs.
Resources
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 and can be reached by phone call, text, or online chat. Use 988 to seek support for a friend, a loved one, or yourself. If someone you know is thinking about suicide, encourage them to connect with 988. (Note: if you feel someone is at immediate risk of harming themselves, don’t hesitate to call 911 or another local emergency number instead).
- Teen Line
Teen Line offers personal peer-to-peer support for teens by teens. If you or a friend has a problem or wants to speak to another teen who understands mental health, trained volunteers are available. Call 800-852-8336 from 6 to 10 pm PST or text TEEN to 839863 from 6 to 9 pm PST. Teen Line can also be reached via email by visiting their website.
- Never a Bother
Never a Bother is a youth suicide prevention and awareness campaign for young people and their parents, caregivers, and allies. Visit the website to learn the warning signs, crisis resources, and how to support yourself, a friend, or a youth in your care. Funded by CDPH as part of California’s Children and Youth Behavioral Initiative (CYBHI), the campaign aims to connect youth experiencing thoughts of suicide to help by reinforcing that they deserve support and are never a bother when reaching out.
- Soluna App
The Soluna App offers confidential support for 13-25-year-olds in California at no cost. Use the app to Chat 1:1 with a professional coach and learn more about mental health and ways to destress.