when you have to act now

Do:

• If you are in Vermont, call 2-1-1.
• You can also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1.800.273.TALK (8255).
  For TTY, call 1.800.799.4889.
• If you are a US military veteran, call 1.800.273.8255 and press 1.
• Call the Mental Health Service nearest you.
• Tell someone who is in a position to help you.
• If you feel the danger is imminent, call 9-1-1 or get yourself or the person in crisis to the nearest emergency room.

Stay with them, and make sure they have no access to firearms, medications, alcohol and other substances or implements which they might use to kill themselves or which might lower their resistance to hurting themselves.

Don't:

• Leave them alone
• Dismiss, ignore or minimize the problem
• Argue about whether suicide is right or wrong
• Try to forcefully remove a weapon
• Offer harmful advice, such as drinking or drugging to make the problem go away
• Be critical or say anything that might cause shame or guilty feelings
• Say you know how they feel
• Promise to keep suicidal plans a secret
• Challenge, bargain or dare the person.
• Bear the burden alone. Make sure to tell some and get help.