Suicide Phone Crisis Intervention

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Identify the agency, give your first name and how may I help you.

 

Try to obtain name, phone number, and address of where they are at.

 

Are you alone?

Do you have a plan?

Weapon? Where is weapon at present time? If weapon is in hand ask to put it down.

Drugs? What type of drugs have you taken

Are they in danger from someone else?

Are you hearing voices? are they commands or negative statements

Are you hallucinating? is it real can others see what you are experiencing

Are you having bad dreams? What are they?

Are you having difficulty eating? Sleeping? Concentrating?

Are you afraid?

 

Let's talk - distract their thought pattern until help can arrive - Tell them that you can hear their upset let's talk about it listen.

 

Obtain a verbal agreement that they will not harm themselves. Talk

Ask if they can call a friend, neighbor, or family member to come.

Ask if they can call a pastor.

Ask if you can pray with them or read the Bible to them.

Ask if you can call emergency services to come and help them.

Ask if they would feel more comfortable going to the hospital emergency room and talk with someone get their permission on who to call

 

Stay on the phone stay calm oftentimes the law will need to respond. Never hang up until you know that somebody is there to help preferably 2 people. Give assurance they will get help and be safe.

 

Do not give a solution to the problem except to say I will assist you to get help I know you are hurting. Give assurance and options stay calm show caring love and support.

 

Remain calm even if you don't feel calm. A crisis can be contagious.

The 2 most important things you can do is to be supportive and be an active listener. Avoid making assumptions if you do not fully understand ask them to explain. Avoid making judgment do not take sides on their issue.

 

Alert somebody else that you have a crisis call and need to call 911