Text Only version

Primary Web Site

  Preventing Suicide Network  Helping those who help others
 

[Register&Login] [Purchase Resources] [Searches] (These functions are not available in a text-only format, you will be directed to the Primary Web site)

[Privacy&Terms] [About Us] [Site Map] [FAQ] [Submit a Resource] [Write Us] [Technical Support] [Search by Intermediary]

 
You are here: Text Only Home > What to do to help > Treatment Resources > What to do in an emergency
 
What to do in an emergency 

Knowing what to do in a life threatening emergency is extremely important. Interacting with a suicidal person, can be frightening because there is a threat to a person's life and because you are the lone person who is capable of taking immediate action.  

 

A person at risk for acting on suicidal thoughts may NOT have attempted suicide previously nor be in the process of actively attempting suicide, yet there is a serious threat to that person's life.  

These are not the kinds of situations that people should handle alone. There is assistance available and getting additional help from suicide help-lines, mental health clinicians, physicians or others may help to save a life. 


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
  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
  4. Involve other people in the solution to this emergency when needed
  5. Seek Professional Help

>>MORE


References for What to do in an emergency
Resources
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

 

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)

 

The DBSA is a U.S. not-for-profit organization based out of Chicago and the nation's largest patient-directed, illness-specific organization.

 

The DBSA provides a Web page titled Responding to an emergency situation available at the following Web address:

 

http://www.dbsalliance.org/info/suicide.html#Responding%20to%20an%20emergency%20situation 

>>MORE


What to look for
>Detection Resources
>>Associated Factors
>>Protective Factors
>>Facts  
>>Myths
>>How to relate
>>Common concerns
>Professional resources
>>Professional screening tools
>>Suicide risk screening tools
What to do to help
>Treatment Resources
>>What to do in an emergency  
>>Suicide hotlines
>>Facilities
>>Mental health providers
>>Legal considerations
>>Standard treatments for suicide ideation
>>What to do as a survivor of suicide
>Professional Resources
>>Clinical guidance 
>>Ethical and Legal guidelines
>>Assessment information
>>Medication information
>>What to do as a professional survivor of suicide
What education is available 
>Education Resources
>>Online educational tools  
>>Organizations
>>Courses for credit
>>Publications
>Professional Resources
>>Higher education   
>>Organizations
>>Courses for credit
>>Continuing education
>>Conferences
>>Publications
What researchers are doing
>Research Resources
>>Research news
>>Statistics
>>Clinical trials
>>Grants/RFP
>>Institutions
>Professional Resources
>>Research news

Find information as a(n):
Adult Acquaintance
AOD Counselor
Clergy
Counselor/Social Worker
Crisis Worker/EMT
Employer
Family Member
Geriatric Specialist
Law Enforcement
Media Personnel
Military Personnel
Nurse
Parent
Physician
Psychiatrist
Psychologist
School Clinician
Teacher
Teen

Developed with the support of NIMH SBIR contract # N44MH22044

© Copyright iTeleHealth Inc., 2004

Last Updated: July 2004