Stage 7 · Lesson 4 of 7
If a friend is in danger
If a friend tells you they have a plan to end their life, has harmed themselves seriously, or you believe they are in immediate danger, act now. Call local emergency services or take them to the nearest hospital emergency department. If you are not with them, call emergency services where they are, or someone who can reach them quickly.
Stay with them, or stay on the phone, until help arrives, if it is safe for you. Remove anything they could use to hurt themselves if you safely can. Tell a trusted adult, family member, warden or university staff member.
Crisis lines, listed on Find A Helpline, can also guide you on what to do. Afterwards, get support for yourself too.
Common traptrying to handle a crisis alone because they asked you not to tell anyone.
A question to check yourself come when you add the roadmap to your account. Add it
Resources for this stage
Start with· follow one of these
- PlatformFreeBefrienders Worldwide
Befrienders Worldwide
Guidance on supporting someone in distress, and emotional support centres worldwide
- GuideFreeNHS Every Mind Matters
NHS (England)
The free Mind Plan quiz gives you a starting point for your wellbeing plan
Practise
Keep handy
Also worth your time
- Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World (Vivek H. Murthy)ReadPaid
Why connection matters for health, from a former US Surgeon General
Struggling right now? If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, contact local emergency services or a crisis line: Find a helpline (any country), Umang (Pakistan), Tele-MANAS, 14416 (India).