Suicide prevention: What you can do for yourself and others

Mental health concerns, especially suicidal thoughts, require urgent attention. Each year, more than 800,000 people worldwide die by suicide, and many more attempt suicide. In Vietnam, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), the suicide rate in 2021 was 7.3 per 100,000 people. Although this figure is lower than in some neighboring countries, evidence shows that the rate is increasing. Therefore, SSVN calls on all of us to take immediate action to address this issue.

Why is suicide prevention crucial?

At Survival Skills Vietnam (SSVN), our mission is to reduce preventable deaths and injuries in Vietnam through community education and life-saving skills training. When it comes to saving lives, people often picture surgeons performing an operation or firefighters rescuing someone from a burning building. However, saving a life does not always require medical equipment or professional training. Sometimes, it simply begins with a sincere conversation.

SSVN organizes mental health first aid workshops, providing knowledge and tools that empower ordinary people to respond with confidence when facing emotional crises.

In Vietnam, mental health remains a highly sensitive topic, leaving many people to suffer in silence, unsure of how to seek help or support others. This is the reason why SSVN’s mental health first aid knowledge and skills are so crucial. They enable individuals to recognize signs of crisis, intervene effectively, and reduce harm before it is too late.

Suicide warning signs

Early recognition of warning signs can help prevent suicide. If we pay attention and respond in time, we can offer support and remind the person in crisis that they are not alone.

Verbal warning signs:

A person with suicidal thoughts may say:

• “I feel like I can’t get out of bed.”
  
• “My family would be better off without me.”
  
• “I’m not sure I can take it anymore.”
  
• “I don’t have any other choice.”
  
• Or even speak directly about wanting to die — something that must never be taken lightly.
  

Behavioral warning signs:

• Saving up or collecting medicine
  
• Depression, irritability, or anger
  
• Suddenly becoming calm after a long period of sadness
  
• Giving away cherished keepsakes
  
• Seeking access to harmful means (medications, knives, ropes, guns, etc.)
  
• Sudden changes in religious beliefs, etc.
  

Stressful situations that may lead to suicidal thoughts:

• Losing a job or being expelled from school
  
• Breakup in a relationship or loss of a loved one
  
• Receiving news of a serious illness
  
• Facing legal penalties or being imprisoned
  
• Severe financial difficulties
  
• Fear of becoming a burden to others
  
• Returning to alcohol or drug adiction, etc.
  

QPR: A suicide prevention first aid tool

QPR stands for three simple steps:

• Q – Question: Ask the person directly if they are thinking about suicide.
  
• P – Persuade: Listen and encourage them to seek help.
  
• R – Refer: Connect them to a professional, a hotline, or support services.

you are not required to be an expert to take these steps, however, if they are carried out at the right moment, they can save a life.

Like CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) — a first aid technique that anyone can perform to sustain life until medical professionals arrive — QPR is a form of first aid for mental health crises. It can help a person navigate through a suicidal crisis before they are able to access professional support.

SSVN believes that at least one person in every family should be trained in QPR, just as we are encouraged to learn CPR. This life-saving tool is simple, practical, and backed by scientific evidence.

Q – Question

Ask kindly but clearly. In Vietnam, fear of “losing honor” often makes people hesitant to talk about their mental health issue. However, research shows that asking directly about suicidal intentions does not increase risk; on the contrary, it can help reduce anxiety and feelings of isolation.

Some ways you can say:

• “Have you been feeling down lately? To the point of thinking about ending your life?”
  
• “Have you ever wish you could sleep and never wake up?”
  
• “You know, when someone is very sad like you, sometimes they wish they could disappear. I’m wondering if you’ve been feeling that way too?”

For males of all ages, asking the question directly is often more effective:

• “Are you thinking about suicide?”
  

P – Persuade

The goal at this step is to offer hope. Let them know that help is available and that you are there for them. If possible, try to obtain a temporary commitment that they will not harm themselves until they receive the necessary support.

You can say:

• “I really want you to live. I’m here for you. We will get through this together.”
  
• “Would you agree to come with me to seek support?”
  
• “Would you allow me to find someone to help you?”
  
• “Can you promise me that you won’t do anything harmful until I find someone to help you?”

R – Refer

Be proactive to suggest the next step. Many people in crisis often feel too ashamed or hopeless to seek help on their own. Therefore, SSVN emphasizes the importance of the supportive person taking a proactive guiding role.

Some things you can do:

• Call a suicide prevention hotline or a mental health professional with them.
• Accompany them to a counseling office.
  
• Connect them with a mental health professional, a family member, or a trusted community member.

When it involves a life, make use of every possible form of help.

If no resources are accessible at that moment, ask the person in crisis to promise not to attempt suicide until you can help them.

Create a personal safety plan

If someone has ever had suicidal thoughts or belongs to a high-risk group, creating a Safety Plan is extremely important.

A safety plan should include:

• Personal warning signs
  
• Coping strategies for emotional fluctuations
  
• A list of safe places and trusted people to contact
  
• Emergency hotlines and medical professionals’ contact numbers

You can refer to the Stanley-Brown Safety Plan here.

Notes: 

National support resources are very helpful, but in a mental health crisis, connecting directly with local professionals is always the best solution. However, if people are unsure of nearby support services, they often call emergency services such as the police or ambulance. This can be harmful, as most emergency responders are not specifically trained in psychological crisis intervention.

If you are supporting someone with suicidal thoughts, actively create a list of safe local resources:

• Mental health counselor
  
• Clinic or support center
  
• Peer support group
  
• Trusted elder in the community

This helps you to respond proactively when someone needs immediate support.

Conclusion

You don’t need to be a doctor or therapist to help prevent suicide — all it takes is genuine care. Recognizing the signs, asking the right questions, and connecting someone in distress with appropriate support can save a life.

At SSVN, we work alongside individuals, families, schools, and workplaces to provide the tools and knowledge needed for self-care and supporting others. If you want to learn more or bring this training program to your community, consider organizing a Mental Health First Aid Workshop with SSVN.

Together, we can build a safer and more compassionate Vietnam for everyone.