Many people know someone who has expressed thoughts about suicide, attempted or maybe even completed suicide. Rates of suicide continue to rise, but it is still often difficult for people to discuss suicide and become educated about how to help. Knowing the facts about the warning signs and prevention of suicide may help save a life.

Myth: People who threaten suicide are just seeking attention.

Fact: All suicidal threats or comments must be treated as though the person has the intent to carry out the threat. If a person is seeking attention, it may be that a need is unmet. The attention that they get may save their life.

Myth: People who talk about suicide don’t complete suicide.

Fact: Many people who die by suicide have given warning signs to family and friends of their intentions. Always take any comment about suicide seriously. Warning signs may include: talking about suicide or making plans, expressing hopelessness about the future, displaying severe or overwhelming emotional pain or distress such as anxiety or extreme sadness, and behavioral changes such as withdrawal, changes in sleep, and increase in anger or irritability.

Myth: Once a person has decided to commit suicide, there is no way to stop them.

Fact: Suicides can be prevented. People can be helped. Suicide is a permanent solution to what is usually a temporary problem and suicidal people often feel a loss of control or believe that their problem is inescapable. Immediate practical help such as staying with the person, encouraging them to talk and helping them build plans for the future can make a difference. Such immediate help is valuable in a time of crisis, but usually professional counseling is needed to prevent future attempts and address underlying causes of suicidal thoughts.

Related: One Mother’s Story on Suicide

Myth: Talking about suicide or asking a depressed person about suicide will encourage them to act on their plan to commit suicide.

Fact: Studies have shown that talking about suicide does not increase the risk of a depressed person acting on suicidal thoughts. In fact, talking about suicide provides an individual with an opportunity to communicate and share their feelings with someone who cares. When talking to a person that you believe is suicidal, it’s important to show you care by listening carefully and being genuine so that the person feels heard and knows that they are not alone. Then, get help by seeking assistance from professionals. You can call a hotline such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or call 911 if it is an immediate crisis.

Myth: The only effective intervention for suicide comes from professionals such as mental health therapists.

Fact: All people who interact with a suicidal person can help them by providing emotional support, helping them stay safe, and helping them connect with the professional treatments they need. Prevention may be a matter of a caring person with the right knowledge being available in the right place at the right time. Once connected with professionals, treatment often includes identifying strengths and supports such as family and friends.

If you or someone you know needs more information about prevention or warning signs of suicide, there are multiple online resources, including Suicide Prevention Resource Center and American Foundation for Suicide Prevention or call Methodist Family Health at (501) 661-0720.