“A suicide attempt is not ‘attention seeking behaviour’, it is ALWAYS a cry for help.” – Jennifer Nurick
It can feel confronting to sit with someone who is feeling suicidal. We are holding their pain while also managing our own feelings in the moment.
Before I had training in suicide prevention, I believed that talking about suicide with someone who was thinking about it might make them more likely to act.
I learned that this is a myth. In fact, talking about it openly can be helpful. It creates space for them to express intense feelings that might otherwise stay bottled up.
The most important thing you can do is listen without judgment and without trying to fix their problems.
Be present. Be validating. Let them feel heard.
If someone is considering suicide, they need the support of a trained professional — a therapist, counsellor, or doctor — as soon as possible.
In Australia, 24/7 crisis support is available through Lifeline: 13 11 14.
Love, Jen 🪷
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