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What to do if someone you know is considering suicide

What to do if someone you know is considering suicide

         Emergency Contact Information

  • Springfield Police Department 
    417-864-1700         or  911

  • Sheriff Greene County
    417-868-4040

  • Burrell Center Inc./Crisis Assist Team
    24-hr Crisis Line
    417-862-6555     or  800-494-7533

  • Missouri State University
    Counseling and Testing Center417-836-5116

Or - Go Directly to an Emergency Room at:

  • St. John's HospitalCorner of National and Sunshine417-820-2000

  • Cox's Medical Center South
    3801 S. National
    417-269-6000     

How You Can Help: 

Be direct. Talk openly and matter-of-factly about suicide.

Be willing to listen.  Allow expressions of feelings.  Accept the feelings.

Be non-judgmental.  Don't debate whether suicide is right or wrong, or feelings are good or bad. Don't lecture on the value of life.

Get involved.  Become available.  Show interest and support.

Don't dare him or her to do it.

Don't act shocked.  This will put distance between you.

Don't be sworn to secrecy.  Seek support.

Offer hope that alternatives are available but do not offer glib reassurance.

Take action.  Remove means, such as guns or stockpiled pills.

Get help from persons or agencies specializing in crisis intervention or suicide prevention. 


Other Resources:

For information on other suicide education sites. (http://www.save.org/)

For help in understanding suicide. (http://www.suicidology.org/understandingsuicide.htm)

For information regarding research by the National Institute of Health. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/suicideprevention/suifact.cfm

For additional information regarding suicide. (http://www.siec.ca) and http://www.nimh.nih.gov/suicideprevention/index.cfm
 

Disclaimer Regarding links to Other Web Sites

Please read the information presented on each site carefully and critically.  We have carefully selected each site with the belief that it provides useful information, however, the following listing of sites is for reference only.  No endorsement of these sites is  thereby meant of implied.  No representation or warranty concerning the quality or any other characteristic of these sites is being made.

 

Counseling and Testing

If you have difficulty coping after the emergency, contact the Counseling and Testing Center or see the list of Springfield resources.