Do You Have a Duty to Prevent Suicide?

Whether you’re a law enforcement officer, public health professional, or family member of someone who has considered suicide, you have a responsibility to prevent it. But there are limits to this duty. Learn how to recognize warning signs, know how to help, and understand your legal rights. And don’t be afraid to ask for help if you think your friend or loved one is considering suicide.

A person with suicidal thoughts might show a number of warning signs. These can be behavioural or physical, but sometimes they are subtle and may not be obvious to others. For example, they might suddenly become calm or start feeling a sense of hopelessness. They might also be displaying unusual behaviors with guns, pills or other lethal items.

The best way to identify someone who may be at risk for suicide is to listen to their concerns and offer support. This will not make them feel more likely to kill themselves, but it may help them get the help they need and reduce their risk of acting on their suicide thoughts.

Knowing how to help someone who is at risk of suicide can be the difference between life and death. Taking the time to talk about suicide and show people that they are not alone can reduce suicidal thoughts and feelings, allowing those at risk to receive the help they need.

Under Massachusetts law, institutions of higher education and their administrators have a duty to prevent student suicide when they know that a student has attempted suicide while enrolled or shortly before matriculating or that a student has stated plans or intentions to commit suicide. That duty can be fulfilled by implementing a suicide prevention protocol, such as helping the student obtain clinical care from medical professionals or notifying their emergency contact if they refuse treatment.

If you spot warning signs, you need to act immediately. Call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, and stay with the person until you can get them to safety. Then, follow up with them to see how they are doing. You can do this through a phone call, text message, or in person.

Research has shown that reducing someone’s access to highly lethal items or places can make a difference in their risk for suicide. For example, keeping medications locked away or only giving them out when they’re needed can help prevent suicide attempts. Similarly, limiting someone’s isolation can help them maintain their connection to others and increase their sense of belonging.

Having a robust suicide prevention program is a top priority for many law enforcement agencies and the government. As with many things in life, a robust suicide prevention program requires a multi-pronged approach to be effective and sustainable. The most effective suicide prevention programs incorporate a mix of education, training, and resources into an integrated strategy to keep communities safe. 

Among these, the most important components include a comprehensive suicidal emergency plan, dedicated suicide intervention resources, and supportive community partnerships that are the foundation of any suicide prevention plan. The best way to implement such a plan is to make sure that everyone in the department is well-educated on all aspects of suicide.

If you see or hear something that makes you think your friend, family member or co-worker may be thinking about suicide, don’t play it down or ignore it. It may be the sign of a deeper problem that requires help. Bring it to the attention of someone who can help, like a teacher or guidance counselor, a youth center staff member or another responsible adult in the community.

In the same way that we have a layered network of safety with first aid resources, we need to have one with support for mental health care. This includes a system of support for those who are considering suicide. Often, this starts with open conversations in the home about mental and physical health and the importance of taking care of yourself. Then, as you and your loved ones begin to recognize the signs of mental health challenges, you can get the help that they need, including treatment for any issues that are causing them to feel suicidal.