CR | Page No. 60 | Winter 2009
WHERE TO GO
FOR HELP
• If you feel
suicidal or someone
you know admits
to having thoughts
of suicide, dial 911.
• For anyone in a
suicidal crisis, or
anyone concerned
about someone
else who is,
the telephone
number for the
National Suicide
Prevention
Lifeline is
1-800-273-TALK
(1-800-273-8255).
Callers are
immediately
connected to a
local crisis center,
and the phones
are staffed around
the clock.
Offer hope that alternatives are available, but do not offer glib reassurance
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Symptoms of suicide include:
hopelessness, uncontrolled
anger, acting recklessly or
engaging in risky activities,
feeling trapped, increased alcohol
or drug use, withdrawing from
friends and family, disruption of
sleep patterns, and dramatic
mood changes.
The American Association of
Suicidology recommends the
following ways to help a person
with suicidal intentions:
• Be direct. Talk openly and
matter-of-factly about suicide.
• Be willing to listen. Allow
expressions of feelings.
Accept the feelings.
• Be nonjudgmental. Don’t
debate whether suicide is right
or wrong, or whether feelings
are good or bad. Don’t lecture on
the value of life.
• Get involved. Become available.
Show interest and support.
• Don’t dare him or her to do it.
• Don’t act shocked. This
will put distance between you.
• Don’t be sworn to secrecy.
Seek support.
• Offer hope that alternatives
are available, but do not offer
glib reassurance.
• Take action. Remove means,
such as guns or stockpiled pills.
• Get help from people or agencies
specializing in crisis intervention
and suicide prevention.
— S.O.
about suicidal thoughts when
these symptoms are present.”
In fact, researchers from all
three new studies agree the best
course of action is open and
honest communication among
doctors and patients. But that’s
easier said than done. Walker says,
for example, that “people don’t
often tell their nurses or doctors
that they’re feeling that bad—they
think it’s a sign of weakness.”
What’s more, cancer patients often
believe suicidal thoughts are par
for the course. “It’s important for
patients to know that not everyone
with cancer feels they’d be better
off dead,” she says.
Because doctors are “extremely
bad” at predicting who’s going
to kill themselves, says Miller,
he suggests that they should
assume people who have cancer
can go in and out of suicidal
crises. “Allowing a patient to
tell their story and speak their
mind is probably a more effective
strategy than thinking that a
physician could identify the risk,”
he says.
All three researchers stress the
importance of letting patients
with suicidal thoughts know that
they’re not alone, and that an
honest dialogue with their health
care providers could open up new
avenues of care. “It’s a common
problem,” says Walker, “and it’s OK
to talk about it.”
—Stephen Ornes
