How To Help Someone Who May Be Suicidal | Ask Direct Questions

How do you help a loved one who is depressed or suicidal? Megan Johnson, a therapist and the co-founder of The Emily Effect, shares some advice on we can help our loved ones.

LEARN more about "The Emily Effect" at: http://www.TheEmilyEffect.org

*All suicidal thoughts, behaviors, and attempts should be taken seriously. Get help 24/7 by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK. Help is also available online at http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org. Trained consultants will provide free and confidential crisis counseling to anyone in need.*

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TRANSCRIPT of Video:

I think, when it comes to helping a loved one who is struggling with mental illness—especially where that mental illness is progressing to the point where it's maybe scary and you're concerned that that person is having suicidal thoughts or harming themselves—I think it's really important that we ask direct questions. There's a difference in being invasive and overbearing, but I think when someone is struggling, in some ways, they're wanting somebody to reach out and ask those hard questions.

And often we don't know what to say with those who are struggling. We're not sure if we're going to trigger them or if they're going to feel embarrassed or feel ashamed. But I think it can lighten their load when we ask them those direct questions and you say, you know: "Have you had thoughts of hurting yourself?" or "Have you had thoughts of ending your life?" Things like that.

And sometimes we worry about maybe being overbearing and, and I think that when you have the thought of: "You know, I need to just—I know so-and-so is struggling—but I don't want to be overbearing or for them to feel embarrassed or know that I know." I think it's really important that you act on that thought.

It's better to err on the side of reaching out, and caring, and loving, than to act off of an assumption. And how important it is for those who are struggling to feel that someone cares and is going to be there for them. And especially be consistent.

And that's hard, because there are some times where the person who is struggling may not want that help or they may not want that support at that time and they may shut down. But through being consistent in showing love and in showing care they're going to know that they have someone to turn to when they're ready for that.

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