How Does Ongoing Support Help Reduce Risk for Suicide?
When you do a search on the internet on how to support someone who is thinking about suicide, many articles and blogs come up with tips to talk with someone about their suicidal thoughts and determine whether emergency services may be needed. Once you initiate a conversation about suicide and recognize there is no imminent risk involved, you may be left wondering what comes next. Ongoing contact can play a crucial role in reducing someone’s risk for suicide, yet resources around how to provide this sort of support are often overlooked and lacking. Even when the person you were supporting is no longer experiencing suicidal thoughts regularly, continued care can reduce other health risks and the likelihood for suicidal thinking to resurface. Let’s take a look at why ongoing support is so important.
While we often focus on physical symptoms when it comes to health, holistic health also consists of social and mental elements. Many studies find social support and engagement with others as a proven protective factor against suicidal thoughts. Making meaningful connections reduces loneliness and leads to better health outcomes.
During conversations with the person you are worried about, you’ve likely discussed strategies to help them cope with suicidal thoughts. (If you haven’t, take a look at our Support Their Safety module.) These may include seeking therapy services, attending support groups, picking up a past hobby, and more. Many barriers can come up as someone starts to follow their safety plan. Your ongoing support provides accountability to carry out those activities and can help them stay on track on their road to feeling better.
Knowing help is available, even if they don’t choose to seek it out at the moment, is a powerful thing. It allows someone to recognize they have options as opposed to feeling trapped. Establishing that you will continue to be there for support increases hopefulness in the future for the person you are caring for.
Supporting someone who is thinking about suicide goes beyond one conversation. Ongoing care is crucial to improving the person’s wellness over time. We developed a practical guide to provide you with 10 strategies as you continue your role as a suicide caregiver. This digital download also includes 4 sample conversations recordings to illustrate how to use these strategies in action. Learn more about this package here.
Want more information? Suicide Is Different offers free tools and customized supports to help those caring for people experiencing suicidal thoughts to learn about suicide and build a self-care system for sustainable caregiving. Follow us on Twitter (@SuicideIsDiff) and Instagram (@SuicideIsDifferentOrg) for routine reminders and tips!
SID is not a substitute for clinical treatment or crisis intervention
If you are looking for emergency support, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. Suicide Is Different's content and products were developed by subject matter experts for educational purposes only and intended for use by adults. We encourage you to review our Resource Directory if you are looking for clinical services or supports outside of the US.
