Prevent Suicide: How Telling A Story Can Help Suicidal People

Written By:

Written By:

Story Help Someone Contemplating Suicide 2

Suicide is an immensely painful thing to deal with, and even more painful for the person who is contemplating suicide. However, sometimes, telling a story can prevent suicide. Intrigued? Yes, thatโ€™s the power of storytelling. Read on to know more about how storytelling can help with suicide and suicidal behavior.

KEY POINTS

  • Suicide is on the rise. Talking to a person who is contemplating suicide can harm the relationship.
  • Telling a story introduces hope in a seemingly hopeless situation.
  • Storytelling can be used in a variety of sensitive situations.

Suicide is on the rise across the country. People often see signs of suicidal ideation in the behaviors and words of their friends and loved ones but donโ€™t know what to say or how to broach the topic. Asking the person if they are thinking about hurting themselves is the most direct way to confront the issue, but this approach is double-edged.

You may get an honest answer, but the fact that you even asked the question puts a person who is not suicidal in a defensive posture, which can harm personal relationships.

Related: If Youโ€™re Having Suicidal Thoughts, Please Read This

Contemplating suicide is like living in a house built with two-way mirrors. The person inside the house only sees themselves and canโ€™t find the exit. Conversely, people on the outside can see into the house, but they donโ€™t know how to open the door that is locked from the inside.

When a person is trapped inside a mirrored house their suicidal thoughts whirl faster than a clothes washer on a spin cycle. The best way to interrupt the suicidal ideation cycle is to introduce new ideas. New ideas create hope, and hope is a life raft for suicidal people.

Nobody wants to be told that they are broken. Our defense mechanisms prevent us from seeing our flaws, and an indirect approach may be a more effective way to communicate with a person you suspect is considering suicide. The added benefit of an indirect approach is that if you are wrong, your relationship with that person will not be harmed.

telling a story can prevent suicide

Tell a story

Telling a story is an effective way to introduce new ideas indirectly. People donโ€™t like being told that they are broken, but most people will listen to stories about other people who are broken. Stories must have a moral and a course of action.

The moral of the story in suicidal situations is that there is always hope no matter how bad a person thinks their circumstances are. The course of action is to talk to a professional who can guide you through a crisis or, at least, talk to someone you trust about your state of mind.

If you suspect a loved one or friend is contemplating suicide, you could tell a story at an appropriate moment during a casual conversation. For example, last week I saw a friend of mine whom I havenโ€™t seen for ten years. We had coffee and talked for a long time. During our conversation, he told me that he went through a tough time with a broken relationship a few years back. It got so bad that he contemplated suicide.

Related: How To Help A Person Who Is Feeling Suicidal

He was in a dark place for a long time. He finally confided to a close friend about his situation. She told him that she went through a similar situation and refused to get help until it was almost too late. She told my friend that she felt like a tornado ripped through her life and destroyed everything. The loss was devastating.

She finally went to a therapist who gave her hope of building a better life. She lost everything, but the hope of rebuilding a new life remained undamaged. She is now happily married in a healthy relationship.

My friend confided that his friend gave him hope. He sought out a therapist who guided him through the rough times. He learned that life is worth living no matter how things turn out. Heโ€™s very glad he confided in a close friend and got help from a therapist. The therapistโ€™s words opened the gates to a new and improved life. My friend is now in a healthy relationship and is very happy.

Telling a story is an effective way to introduce new ideas to a person contemplating suicide. New ideas can break the cycle of despair.

Storytelling can also be used in a variety of situations when you want to confront a friend or loved one with a sensitive topic. Storytelling is a powerful way to communicate without damaging a relationship. If you think a person may be contemplating suicide, tell them a story that may save their life.

Want to know more about how telling a story can prevent suicide and how storytelling can help suicidal people? Check this video out below!


Written By Jack Schafer Ph.D. 
Originally Appeared On Psychology Today 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

If a person really needs mental help and refuses to get what can the parents do to help them?

Parents should always try to be respectful towards their childrenโ€™s way of tackling life problems. If they are not comfortable opening up, you can ask your child to note down the issues they are facing. Be compassionate and supportive and once they get comfortable, encourage them to talk to a therapist.

Does a parent have the right to decline medical help for a child who attempts suicide?

Parents need to seek medical and legal advice for the child who has tried to attempt suicide and take the action considering what is best for the child.

If a parent does not get mental health treatment for a child, is that abuse?

It depends on the intention of the parents. If parents deny mental health treatment for a child because they lack mental health awareness and long-term consequences of mental illnesses, it is not abuse.

Story Help Someone Contemplating Suicide pin

— Share —

Published On:

Last updated on:

,

— About the Author —

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Up Next

Struggling With Meditation? Mindful Writing Might Work

Try Writing Meditation For Mindfulness With Great Steps

Ever tried writing meditation? This technique combines journaling and meditation, helping you focus, reflect, and cultivate inner peace through words!

Writing meditation may be a helpful approach to mindfulness.

Key points

Writing meditation is a little-known technique to promote mindfulness.

Itโ€™s about capturing your moment-by-moment thoughts on paper.

Itโ€™s great for people who are frustrated by traditional meditation approaches.

Meditation is hard. Itโ€™s hard t

Up Next

Are You Suffering From Purpose Anxiety? 5 Signs To Watch For

Suffering From Purpose Anxiety? Alarming Signs To Watch

Feeling pressured to have everything figured out, can lead to feelings of inadequacy or restlessness. Below are five signs of purpose anxiety that often arises when you feel like youโ€™re not on โ€œrightโ€ path in life!

How the search for purpose can cause stressโ€”and what to do about it.

Key points

Purpose anxiety fuels job-hopping, imposter syndrome, and constant comparison, leaving us unfulfilled.

Up Next

852 Hz Frequency: Sound Therapy To Release Fear, Overthinking And Find Deep Relaxation

Five Hz Frequency Benefits To Find Deep Relaxation

Ever felt like your mind just wonโ€™t slow down? Maybe you struggle with sleep, constantly worry, or feel disconnected from your true self. What if there was a simple, natural way to calm your mind just by listening to sound? Take a look at 852 hz frequency sound to balance your energy!

In todayโ€™s fast-paced world, where distractions are constant, achieving a state of deep relaxation can seem nearly impossible. This sound therapy will help you to let go of fear and awaken your intuition! So continue to read more below!

What Is 852 Hz Frequency?

Up Next

The Cure For Burnout

The Cure For Burnout: Important Things To Remember

Do you feel exhausted, unmotivated, and questioning why you even started? The cure for burnout isnโ€™t just to stop overworking but also chasing the wrong purpose.

How shifting your purpose can restore your joy.

Key points

Burnout often stems from chasing unattainable “Big P Purpose,” not personal fulfillment.

“Little P Purpose” focuses on enjoying the journey, not just achieving distant goals.

Adding joy to daily tasks can help combat burnout and boost career longevity.

Happiness comes from small moments, not just the next big achie

Up Next

Hikikomori Syndrome: A Cry for Help or a Lifestyle Choice?

Hikikomori Syndrome Warning Symptoms!

You wake up at noon, staring at the ceiling. Your phone buzzes, but you ignore it. Another day of silence. You tell yourself it’s just temporary but days turn into months, and stepping outside feels harder than ever. If this sounds familiar, you might be experiencing something known as hikikomori syndrome.

What Is Hikikomori Syndrome?

Originally a Japanese term, hikikomori describes an e

Up Next

How To Heal A Lack Of Attachment? 5 Steps To Reconnect With Yourself

Heal a Lack of Attachment Steps To Reconnect With Yourself

In todayโ€™s Best Day Blog, Iโ€™ll share some tips on how to heal from a lack of attachment.

Feeling lonely, disconnected, or misunderstood by those closest to you or, even worse, by yourself are typical experiences for those who lacked the proper attachment with their parents.

We all experience a lack of attachment

Everybody experiences detachment of varying degrees in childhood. The mistake is to believe that a lack of attachment requires some big transgression. In fact, yelling, being dismissive, sarcastic, poking fun, or withdrawing intellectually or emotionally can result in attachment wounds.

Up Next

Rewriting Your Story: Turning Set backs into Stepping Stones for Personal Growth

Turning Set backs into Stepping Stones for Personal Growth

Life is like a movie with no script

Sometimes things go off track.

A lost job.A broken heart.A dream that falls apart.

These tough spots may seem like bad chapters.But what if they are the start of your best tale?

They show hidden strengths.They have clues for your growth.Resilience means bending without breaking.

Your story is not done yet.You hold the pen.You can change the plot.

1. The Power of Perspective: Your Pain Isnโ€™t the Whole Story

When life knocks you dow