I recently took suicide prevention training through LivingWorks (https://www.livingworks.net/) that was geared towards professional therapists like me as well as members of the community. Grandmothers, elementary school teachers, and pastors were among the trainees. For two days, we learned how to talk with people at risk for suicide in a straight-forward and compassionate way. I was very touched to see non-counselors in the training. They were there because they knew that anyone anywhere can be struggling with suicidal thoughts. They wanted to know how to help.

The thing about suicide is that sometimes people are afraid to even say the word, suicide. The thinking is that we will put the idea into a person’s mind. Unfortunately, suicide happens at an alarming rate. The National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) reports that suicide is the third leading cause of death among young people. Suicidal thoughts are common among people struggling with depression and anxiety. In my work as a therapist, I find that people are relieved when I ask, “Are you thinking about suicide?” I advise parents who are concerned about their children to ask direct questions about suicidal thoughts. When we ask directly, we take talking about suicide off the taboo list. We offer acceptance of difficult feelings and an opportunity for connection. Suicide becomes a topic okay to discuss.

September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. If you’d like to help create awareness, more information is available at http://www.nami.org/Get-Involved/Awareness-Events/Suicide-Prevention-Awareness-Month. NAMI offers several suggestions for how to get involved.

The more we recognize that suicide is a real problem and become aware of the risks, the more likely we will be to have honest, non-judgmental talks about it. The goal is prevention, and we don’t do well at preventing if we’re in the dark.

If you’re in crisis and experiencing difficult suicidal thoughts, call The National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273 TALK (8255), call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Claire is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with expertise in body-oriented psychotherapy.  Working for Anthem, she helps people find the right mental health treatment, and consults with employers around risk, safety and mental health issues.