Can I help someone take their own life if they ask me?
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Can I help someone take their own life if they ask me?
You should never help someone take their own life, expect in rare cases of euthanasia. If a person has expressed suicidal feelings, has a plan, the means available and has a time set, you should always take him or her seriously. If there is any doubt, take him or her seriously. A person who is high risk for suicide should not be left alone. Keep talking to that person, stay with him or her or arrange for another party- someone who that person trusts and feels comfortable with- to stay with them. Remove from the vicinity any firearms, drugs or sharp objects that could be used for suicide.
Almost everyone thinks about suicide at some point in their life. By listening and observing the warning signs of suicide and asking direct questions, we demonstrate our willingness to talk about anything with the person in crisis, including his/her feelings about suicide. He or she is likely to feel understood and that you understand the pain they are in. It can be a great relief to the person if his or her suicidal feelings can be brought out into the open and discussed freely without shock or disapproval; it shows that you are taking the person seriously. But not helping them kill themselves.