Encourage them to talk and listen without judgment
Check in regularly with simple messages or calls
Offer practical help with meals, chores, errands, or appointments
Encourage professional support from a therapist, doctor, or counselor
Help them make a plan for daily routines and small goals
Invite them to gentle activities like walking or sitting together
Be patient and avoid pressuring them to “cheer up”
Validate their feelings and take them seriously
Learn the warning signs of suicide or self-harm
If they may be in immediate danger, contact emergency services right away
If you are in the U.S. or Canada, call or text 988 for crisis support
If you are elsewhere, contact local emergency or crisis services
Remove or secure access to weapons, sharp objects, and large amounts of medication if there is a risk of self-harm
Take care of your own mental health and set healthy boundaries