When someone close to you is in danger

When someone you love says they want to die, or they seem at risk, your job is not to be their therapist. Your job is to stay, to listen, and to get help with them.

Stay and be plain

Speak slowly. Say: I am here. I am not leaving you alone with this. I am going to call someone who knows how to help. Ask if they are safe in the room right now. Move anything they could use to hurt themselves, if you can do that without a struggle.

Call together

Put the phone on speaker if they agree, and call CIPUH at 2919-9000. You can start the conversation if they cannot. If they are injured, unconscious, or in immediate physical danger, contact local emergency services as well and stay with them until help arrives.

After the acute moment, you may feel shaken too. That is expected. You can call the same line for yourself.