Suicide Prevention Week: How Can You Support Someone Who Is Struggling?

Bobby Epps

7 days ago

9 min read

If someone is at immediate risk of harming themselves or someone else, call 911 now.

For free, confidential crisis support, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year:

Call or text 988 — the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Chat online at 988lifeline.org
En español: call 988 and press 2, or text AYUDA to 988
Deaf and hard of hearing: ASL services are available 24/7 through the 988 videophone option
In Florida: dial 211 for 24/7 local crisis counseling and referrals

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is for people in crisis and for people who are worried about someone else.

A note about our role: Tranquility Care Counseling provides scheduled virtual therapy to residents of Florida. We are not a crisis or emergency service and cannot respond to emergencies in real time. This article is for education and support. It does not replace emergency care, crisis support, or medical advice.

If you're worried about someone, start simple. Notice changes. Ask directly. Stay with them if you can. Help reduce immediate danger. Connect them with 988, emergency support, or trusted people who can help.

During Suicide Prevention Week, many people wonder how to support someone who is struggling without saying the wrong thing. You don't need perfect words. You need steady, compassionate ones.

A direct question like "Are you thinking about suicide?" does not increase suicidal thoughts or behavior. A review of thirteen studies found no statistically significant increase in suicidal ideation among people who were asked about it, and the authors concluded that acknowledging and talking about suicide may in fact reduce ideation rather than increase it. Asking can open the door for honesty, relief, and connection.

What warning signs should you take seriously?

Warning signs can show up in words, behavior, mood, or sudden changes. You may notice one sign or several. You don't need to decide how serious it is on your own. If you're concerned, it's okay to ask and help the person connect with support.

Common warning signs include:

Talking about wanting to die or not wanting to be here
Saying they feel like a burden
Feeling trapped, hopeless, or in unbearable pain
Pulling away from friends, family, work, or activities
Giving away important belongings or saying goodbye in unusual ways
Increased use of alcohol or drugs
Major changes in sleep, appetite, or energy
A sudden, unexplained sense of calm or relief after a period of deep distress
Acting reckless or taking unusual risks
Expressing shame, rage, despair, or feeling like there is no way out

Life stressors that can raise concern include:

A breakup, divorce, or family conflict
Job loss or financial stress
Health problems or chronic pain
Grief or a recent loss
Isolation
Legal trouble
Feeling rejected or humiliated
Past suicidal thoughts or behavior

You may not see anything obvious. Some people hide pain well. If your gut tells you something is wrong, trust that concern enough to check in.

How do you start the conversation?

Start with privacy, calm, and care. Choose a place where the person can talk without feeling watched or rushed. Because so much support now happens by phone and video — including our own virtual sessions across Florida — the first step is often logistical. If you're connecting remotely, ask whether they're somewhere safe and private before going deeper. A conversation this important shouldn't happen in a car full of people or a shared office.

You can begin with what you've noticed:

"I've noticed you've been pulling away, and I'm worried about you."
"You sounded really hopeless yesterday. I care about you, and I want to check in."
"You don't have to handle this alone. Can we talk for a few minutes?"

Then ask directly:

"Are you thinking about suicide?"

Use the word "suicide." Don't hint around it. Clear language helps the person understand that you can handle an honest answer.

Try to avoid questions that make it harder to tell the truth:

"You're not thinking about doing anything, are you?"
"You would never hurt yourself, right?"
"Things aren't that bad, are they?"

Those questions can make someone feel like they need to protect you or deny what's happening.

A better approach is calm and direct:

"Sometimes when people feel this much pain, they think about suicide. Is that happening for you?"
"I'm not here to judge you. I just want to understand what you're carrying."
"Thank you for telling me. I'm glad you don't have to say this alone."

The goal is not to debate, fix, or lecture. The goal is to listen and help them stay connected to support.

What should you do if the person says yes?

Take them seriously. Stay calm. You can be caring without panicking.

The National Institute of Mental Health outlines five action steps — Ask, Be There, Help Keep Them Safe, Help Them Connect, and Follow Up — that are easy to remember in a difficult moment. Here they are in plain language.

1. Ask

You've already started by asking, "Are you thinking about suicide?" If they say yes, a few simple follow-up questions help you understand urgency without asking for graphic details.

You might ask:

"Are you in immediate danger right now?"
"Are you alone?"
"Where are you right now?"
"Can I stay with you or stay on the phone while we get more support?"

Keep your voice steady. Thank them for telling you.

2. Be there

Being there can mean sitting with them, staying on the phone, texting while help is arranged, or asking another trusted person to join you.

Try saying:

"I'm here with you."
"We can take this one step at a time."
"You don't have to convince me that your pain is real. I believe you."

Avoid minimizing statements like "other people have it worse," "you have so much to live for," "just think positive," or "you're being dramatic." Even when you mean well, those phrases can make someone feel more alone.

3. Help keep them safe

If there is immediate life-threatening danger, call 911.

If the person is not in immediate danger but may not be safe alone, help put distance between them and anything they could use to harm themselves. In practice, that often means having firearms stored securely off-site or held by someone else, and having medications locked up or held by a trusted person. Keep it simple and nonjudgmental.

You can say:

"Let's move to a safer place together."
"Can we call someone you trust to come over?"
"Can you stay near me while we contact 988?"

Do not promise secrecy. You can say:

"I care about you too much to keep this to myself if your safety is at risk."

If you're not physically with them, ask where they are and stay connected while you contact help.

4. Help them connect

Support should not rest on one person. Help them connect with crisis support, trusted family or friends, medical care, or a therapist once the immediate risk has passed.

You can offer:

"Would you like me to sit with you while you call 988?"
"Would texting 988 feel easier than calling?"
"Can we call someone you trust together?"
"Can I help you get to a safe place?"

If cost is the barrier, it may help to know that many people are surprised by what therapy actually costs with insurance. Our average session cost with insurance is $25, and consultations are free.

5. Follow up

After the immediate moment passes, check in. Staying in touch after a crisis can make a real difference. A short message matters.

Try:

"I'm thinking about you today. How are you doing right now?"
"Do you want company for a bit?"
"Were you able to connect with support?"
"I'm still here, and I still care."

Follow-up shows the person that they were not a problem to be handled. They are a person who matters.

What happens when someone contacts 988?

When someone calls, texts, or chats 988, they're connected with a trained crisis counselor. Using the 988 Lifeline is free, and the conversation is confidential.

A counselor will usually focus on immediate emotional support and safety. They may ask what's happening, whether the person is safe right now, and what support is nearby. The goal is to help the person get through the crisis moment and connect with the next right step.

A few things worth knowing:

People can contact 988 for themselves, or because they're worried about someone else.
Counselors focus on listening, problem-solving, and safety planning. Emergency services are involved only when someone's life is in immediate danger.
The service operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
Spanish-language and ASL support are available at any hour.
The 10-digit National Suicide Prevention Lifeline transitioned to the three-digit 988 number in July 2022, and the old number still routes to the same network.

Call 911 instead of 988 when there is immediate life-threatening danger — when someone is in urgent physical danger, cannot stay safe, or needs emergency medical response right away. If you're unsure what to do, contacting 988 can help you talk through the situation.

What crisis resources are available in Florida?

Florida has statewide options beyond the national lifeline, and knowing them ahead of time makes a hard moment easier.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — call, text, or chat, 24 hours a day, every day
211 — dial 2-1-1 for 24/7 local crisis counseling, information, and referrals in Florida counties, including Miami-Dade and Broward
Mobile Response Teams — Florida's MRTs provide 24/7 emergency behavioral health care to anyone in the state, and they come to the person wherever they are
Miami-Dade Mobile Response Team — WestCare The Village South, 1-800-HELP-YOU (1-800-435-7968)
Crisis Text Line — Florida residents can text FL to 741741
NAMI Miami-Dade County — crisis information and support for families and loved ones of people living with mental illness
911 — for immediate, life-threatening emergencies

What is the Baker Act, and when does it apply?

Many Florida families ask about this, usually after a frightening night. The Baker Act is Florida's law governing involuntary examination for mental health crises, and understanding it can reduce fear about what happens next.

Under the law, a person may be taken to a designated receiving facility for involuntary examination if there is reason to believe they have a mental illness and, because of that illness, they have refused voluntary examination or are unable to determine whether examination is necessary — and there is a substantial likelihood that without care they will cause serious bodily harm to themselves or others in the near future, based on recent behavior.

A few practical points:

The examination process can begin through an affidavit signed by any person, through law enforcement, or through a professional certificate completed by an authorized professional.
The initial involuntary examination period is generally up to 72 hours.
Neglect or refusal to care for oneself that poses a real and present threat of substantial harm can also meet the harm criteria.
This is a legal process, not a punishment, and it is meant to be a last resort when someone cannot stay safe voluntarily.

If you're unsure whether a situation rises to this level, calling 988 or a Mobile Response Team first is often the better starting point.

How can you care for yourself while supporting someone else?

Supporting someone in crisis can be frightening and draining. Your care matters too.

You are not expected to be a therapist, crisis counselor, or emergency responder. Your role is to notice, ask, stay present, and help connect the person with support.

Practical ways to protect your own well-being:

Debrief with someone you trust. You don't have to carry the details alone, and you can share your own experience without breaking the other person's confidence in ways that shame them.
Set honest limits on your availability. Telling someone "I can't answer after 10 p.m., but 988 is there all night" is more sustainable and more truthful than promising constant access.
Use 988 for yourself. The Lifeline is explicitly available to people worried about someone else, not just people in crisis.
Watch for your own warning signs. Trouble sleeping, irritability, dread before checking your phone, or numbness are all signals worth taking seriously.
Keep your own routines. Meals, movement, sleep, and time with people who aren't in crisis are not selfish. They're what allow you to keep showing up.
Consider your own therapy. Supporting someone through suicidal thoughts is a genuine stressor, and processing it with a professional is a reasonable response, not an overreaction.

Getting support in Florida

Tranquility Care Counseling offers virtual therapy to residents throughout Florida, with offices in Hallandale Beach and Aventura. Sharon Glekel is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, and sessions draw on approaches including CBT, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, and Structural Family Therapy.

Individual therapy for anxiety, depression, and trauma
Family therapy for parenting support, communication, and family conflict
Couples counseling for connection, conflict, and communication

Consultations are free, and we accept a range of insurance plans.

Book a free consultation or call (305) 709-5771.

Again: we are not a crisis service. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911 or contact 988.