What do you do if someone you know is considering taking their own life? Help is three digits away by calling or texting 988.
You can also do many things to be ready for when a crisis occurs.
First, learn about mental health. Make It OK, NAMI, Mental Health Minnesota and the National Institute of Mental Health are good sources of factual, current information. Don’t hesitate to contact health care providers about concerns, whether the cause may be in the body, the brain or a situation.
Second, be ready to act. Learn “QPR” for a mental health crisis. Like CPR, QPR must be followed by professional care as soon as possible.
The three steps of QPR are:
Q – Question: if you are worried that someone might be suicidal, ask them about it. Describe what you see that worries you (“I’m worried about you. I see . Are you thinking about hurting yourself?”) Be sensitive but ask direct questions, even though it may be awkward. You won’t make someone suicidal by asking. Your question shows that it’s ok to talk and that you care. Offer support and listen.
P – Persuade: persuade the person to seek care. If they have a suicide plan, don’t leave them alone. If it is safe to do so, remove/secure potentially hazardous items.
R – Refer: Get professional help. Ramsey and Hennepin counties have walk-in mental health crisis centers (no appointment needed). You can also call the mobile crisis team, take the person to the hospital or call 911.
It is important to remember that no one is responsible for another person’s actions, and people in crisis are not acting out of a healthy frame of mind. Family and friends of a person in crisis will need support just like in any other health crisis. If suicide is completed, those left behind will need comfort and counseling to help them get through their loss. It is OK to talk about this too.
Resources that offer help to people in crisis can also help family and friends who suffer a loss.
