SOS – Signs of Suicide component

This SOS component augments NDSD’s traditional emphasis on suicide as a tragic outcome of depression and manic-depression by focusing on the friends and family around the depressed and suicidal individual.

The goal is to provide individuals who form the social network around a suicidal person with tools for listening and hearing suicidal statements, recognizing those signs for what they are, and strategies for getting the person into appropriate treatment.

The focus is a Suicide Risk Questionnaire which asks the individual to think about things their loved one has said or done in order to assess the level of suicide risk. The questionnaire also provides a list of Do’s and Don’ts in case a person suspects their loved one is in danger. Do’s include “take it seriously,” “ask if the person has a specific plan,” and “get professional help.” Don’ts include “don’t leave the person alone,” and “don’t be sworn to secrecy.”

The concerned friend or family member will also have the opportunity to talk with a mental health professional about his or her personal situation.

National Depression Screening Day (NDSD) is October 10, 2002.

Alcohol • Anxiety • Depression
Eating Disorders • Interactive Screening
Suicide Education and Research

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