If you are around a person who is suicidal, professionals say it may be helpful to get rid of the actual means that they may use. Although removing the dangerous means can help in that present situation, it is not always possible to do this. The next thing you should do is call 911 or a suicide hotline.
Sometimes a friend who is suicidal may ask that you not tell anyone. Although most people would not want to betray a friend, it is important to know that you alone cannot help the person and it is your responsibility to help the individual get safe. Experts suggest that it may be helpful to reach out to an individual who is trained to handle the situation. Family who are not educated on suicide may not take the threat seriously or may punish the individual. Judge the situation carefully, but make sure you do tell someone.
