Throughout the month of September extra attention has been paid to the topic of suicide prevention, intervention and postvention in and around the Cortland community. This is in recognition of National Suicide Awareness week that occurred September 5^th-11^th and World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10^th.

As the month draws to a close it may be particularly valuable to take a look at one of the biggest factors that can act as a barrier to assisting someone who may be considering suicide:  the idea that asking someone if they are considering suicide might make them consider it as an option to solving their problems.

The underlying belief is that if a depressed individual or someone experiencing a number of life’s stressors is not presently considering suicide, but is asked directly by concerned friends, family members, or acquaintances, then that the person might begin to seriously consider suicide.

At first glance this appears to be a plausible concern that may make someone more hesitant to ask if a person if they are considering suicide. If you examine that concern a little closer it begins to loose some of its potency.

It may be easiest to think of it in terms of the power of suggestion. If a family member or friend suggested it would be worth your while to spend a large amount of money on a particular item, how easily would you be persuaded to go along with that plan? Unless you were already thinking of spending that money, most likely you are going to suddenly consider that an option.

As much as we might like to think we can plant an idea in someone’s head that will lead to a future course of action, people are not that suggestible. This is extremely important when we think of intervening with someone who we fear may be considering suicide.

Successfully helping someone who is considering suicide begins by asking them directly: “Are you thinking of suicide?” An individual having thoughts of suicide may have never previously voiced those thoughts to anyone in a direct manner.

Most people if asked will give a truthful answer and if they have been thinking about suicide will usually feel a certain sense of relief to have those thoughts expressed openly. Once it is established that the issue is indeed suicide, working to keep that person safe can begin. However if the question doesn’t get asked, an opportunity to help save that person’s life may be lost.

Asking directly is just the first step toward helping a person with thoughts of suicide, but it is a critical step just the same. Hopefully, by understanding that we will not give someone the idea of suicide by asking them about it, we can begin building a suicide safe community. Cortland Area Communities that Care’s mission is to build a safe, stable community for the youth of Cortland County. By educating about problem behaviors, we are working to build a stronger community.

There are other strategies that individuals can learn to be better equipped to help someone who may be having thoughts of suicide. These strategies are meant for anyone in the community and are ideal for businesses, congregations, community groups, and local agencies.

We are fortunate to have trained facilitators in Cortland that can offer four evidence based suicide prevention, intervention or postvention programs. If your business or organization would like to find out more information about these trainings, contact Garra Lloyd-Lester at 758-6100.           

           If you or someone you know are feeling suicidal or are even just concerned about someone, please call one of the following for assistance: Cortland County Mental Health, (607) 758-6100, Cortland Regional Medical Center (607) 756-3771, or the National Suicide Hotline 1-800-273-8255.

Garra Lloyd-Lester is Youth Services Development Director at Cortland County Mental Health Services.