On Suicide Intervention/Prevention

See also: Suicide Intervention/Prevention and Suicide

Six Tasks from the LivingWorks Suicide Prevention Handbook

Task 1: Explore Invitations

• Objective 1: Give the individual a sense of acceptance and support.
• Objective 2: Look for signs that suicidal intentions might be connected to the feelings and events happening in their life.

Task 2: Ask about Suicide

• Use the word "suicide."
• Objective 1: Confirm that thoughts of suicide either are or are not present.
• Objective 2: Show that you are ready, willing, and able to help prevent Suicide.

Task 3: Listen to the Reasons for Dying and Living

• "Talking involves thinking and thinking may lead to new ways of looking at things." (Biblical Counseling)
• "Even something as seemingly small as wanting to have a reason for living can save a life."
• If nothing else, focus on ambivalence itself. If a person is undecided, they may as well delay until there is clarity.
• Don't overdo it.
• Objective 1: Develop a mutual understanding of the reasons for dying and for living.
• Objective 2: Show respect for the person at risk through your willingness to really listen to them.
• Objective 3: Establish a life-side foundation for the rest of the intervention.

Task 4: Review Risk

• "Risk" is a function of what a person would lose if they committed Suicide—and what everyone around them would lose too.
• Objective 1: Develop a mutual understanding of the factors that increase risk.
• Objective 2: Show that you take the issue of Suicide seriously by being thorough in your risk review.

Task 5: Contract a Safeplan

• Principles of a good safeplan
  • 1. Freedom to Think about Suicide
  • 2. Specificity
    • "Vague and nonspecific plans can be dangerous."
  • 3. Limited Objectives
  • 4. Real Agreement
  • 5. Crisis Support
  • 6. Suicide-Safe the Environment
• "Can you repeat our agreement in your own words to see what it feels like?"
• Objective 1: Contract a safeplan.
• Objective 2: Provide a sense of hope.

Task 6: Follow-up on Commitments

• Your involvement is clear evidence that they are not alone.
• Objective 1: Ensure that commitments are kept.
• Objective 2: Provide a sense of safety.