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Basic Steps to take in an emergency (References 1-3)

Do not be afraid to take action with persons who are suicidal and perform the following:

1. Evaluate the seriousness of the problem

• Ask directly if the person is thinking of killing themselves
• Ask directly if the person has a plan to kill themselves such as how and when they would attempt suicide
• Determine if they have the ability to carry out their plan.   For example, if the plan includes a firearm, is there access to a firearm?
• Take the person to the nearest hospital emergency room and ask for help if you are unsure of what to do. It is always better to be overly cautious when working with a suicidal person.  

2. Stay with persons who are suicidal or make certain that they have someone with them at all times

3. Validate their feelings and be supportive, yet authoritative

• Often suicidal persons feel out of control and are relieved that someone else is making decisions.

4. Involve other people in the solution to this emergency when needed

• Do NOT promise total confidentiality (Do not say that you will not tell anyone else about the situation)
• Let the person know that everything will be done to prevent them from harming themselves

5. Seek Professional Help

• If uncertain as to what to do next, call a suicide hotline, crisis support service, 911 (or the number used for emergencies in your local area), or go to the nearest hospital emergency room
• Access Suicide Hotlines or Internet resources to locate a local suicide hotline or crisis services
• Access local Hospitals: To access this information via the internet from The American Hospital Directory (AHD), click on “Free Information” and input the information from your local area

Electronic, print, and multimedia resources are provided to help you to find additional authoritative information on What to do in an emergency. These resources are available from such national organizations as The National Institute of Mental Health as well as professional organizations, not-for-profit organizations, and educational institutions.

Internet

Crisis Support Services (CSS) of Alameda County, California

CSS is a not for profit, volunteer organization that has operated its 24-hour telephone service for over 30 years, currently responding to more than 50,000 calls each year.

The CSS of Alameda County, California Web page offering information on what to do in an emergency is available at the following Web address: 

http://www.crisissupport.org/info/todo.html

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© Copyright iTeleHealth Inc., 2004

Last Updated: July 2004