If Danger is Imminent: Don’t leave the person. Remove anything dangerous. Call or text 988.
Lila, the Bride, and Phoebe enter the Cornwall Hotel as strangers. Lila is immediately suspicious that Phoebe’s arrival will ruin her wedding. She’s not wrong to worry. Phoebe is depressed and actively suicidal following a difficult time: her ex-husband had an affair with her best friend and left her, Covid was isolating, the book she’s “writing” is a ruse, and her dog died.
Phoebe tells Lila she is suicidal. Lila immediately asks Phoebe not to kill herself because it would really ruin Lila’s wedding week, which is already deteriorating. Phoebe and Lila confide in each other and bond. Lila is helpful. She asks Phoebe what one thing she can do to take care of herself, states that Lila cares whether Phoebe lives, asks Phoebe to do things with her, and provides an emotional connection. Over the wedding week, Phoebe recognizes her inner strength, experiences happiness again, and picks life.
Suicidal thoughts are not uncommon, but they should always be taken seriously. If you are worried that someone you know is feeling suicidal, there are many things you can do. One person can make all the difference.
Here are suicide prevention tips for caring supporters to use with people who are suicidal:
Know the Signs: Signs include excessive sadness, worry, or anxiety; isolating or avoiding; changes in sleeping or eating habits; inability to carry out basic self-care activities of daily life; questions or comments about suicide.
Listen and Keep Listening: Stay calm. Take their feelings seriously, encourage them to talk for as long as they want, ask about what provoked the feelings, ask directly and non-judgmentally if they are considering suicide, ask how strong or frequent the thoughts are and whether they have a plan, and reassure them that help is available.
Provide Resources: Help them connect with professional resources like a therapist or school counselor. 988 is a national call/text hotline, and 988lifeline.org is a chat-enabled website that provides judgment-free support for mental health and substance use crises.
If Danger is Imminent: Don’t leave the person. Remove anything dangerous. Call or text 988.
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