Your first instinct when someone mentions hurting or killing themselves might be to dismiss the statement as either dramatic or intending to be sarcastic and funny. And while it is the case that we can joke about serious topics, your first instinct when you hear these kinds of comments is to check with the person saying it if it reflects their true feelings. You might ask, in a concerned tone “Do you really think about doing that?” or “Are you joking or are you for real?” While we all say things we don’t mean, it’s possible that throwing out a serious comment like this is a way of seeing how people that care about them might react. You might call this a “cry for help” or a “trial balloon” a way of determining if someone will show concern and take them seriously. If you laugh it off as a weird comment or a dark joke, the person may then learn that this is the way their friend will respond to the seriousness of their feelings.

When someone turns to you for help, it feels like a grave and serious responsibility to respond the best way possible, and in the case of a friend sharing with you that they may be contemplating suicide, the emotional weight of that may be even greater. You should know that simply being there for your friend is significant. Your ability to listen and show you feel for them may be incredibly helpful in a time when their thoughts make them feel alone. Unfortunately, lending an ear does not completely prevent the unthinkable from happening, this is where the experts come in. As a friend, it is helpful for you to know your limits for not just hearing and understanding but responding appropriately to heavy information. You will want your friend to connect to a professional, whether it be their therapist, a doctor, or a crisis outreach hotline (see information below). If you are ever put in the situation where you need to respond to an emergency mental health crisis with a friend, the best advice anyone would give you at that moment is not to wait, and to get that person to an emergency room as quickly as possible. A mental health crisis is just like any other health crisis and needs an immediate response.

Montgomery County peer support talk line

(855) 715-8255

is available, free of charge,

7 days a week,

1:00pm to 9:00pm.

Take a look at some ways practicing gratitude can be beneficial to your overall well being (https://www.forbes.com).

1. Gratitude opens the door to more relationships

2. Gratitude improves physical health.

3. Gratitude improves psychological health.

4. Gratitude enhances empathy and reduces aggression.

5. Grateful people sleep better.

6. Gratitude improves self-esteem

7. Gratitude increases mental strength.

Take a time-out. Listen to music, practice mindfulness, learn some relaxation techniques, go for a walk, step outside, and breathe in the fresh air. Stepping back from the problems helps clear your head.

Exercise Daily to help relieve stress and stay healthy

Welcome Humor. A good laugh goes a long way

Take deep breaths. Inhale and exhale slowly. Count to ten slowly. Repeat, and count to 20 if necessary.

Do your best. Instead of aiming for perfection, which isn’t possible, be proud of however close you get.

Accept that you cannot control everything. Put your stress in perspective. Is it really as bad as you think?