Printable PDF: How to Support Somone Who is Feeling Suicidal Printable Zine

You'll receive this digital product instantly after purchase. See licensing terms for allowed uses. 

This download discusses suicide prevention, crisis response, and resources for supporting someone who may be at risk.

Talking about suicide gets very hard quickly, but conversations that engage the topic head-on are some of the most important conversations we can have.

Too often, a disclosure of suicidal thoughts elicits an unhelpful response, or even shifts the dynamics of a relationship so much that a once-supportive relationship can become strained: turning a relationship that was a protective factor into a risk factor.

What if, I thought, I could make a simple educational booklet that helped inform the folks who are supporting folks feeling this way? Maybe, I thought, a little coaching might go a long way in increasing someone's ability to give good support, preserve key relationships, and help them know when and how to reach out to hotlines like 988- in an approachable, not-stigmatizing, and engaging little comic?

Some important notes:

1. Before use, review for accuracy and appropriateness. This educational resource won't be appropriate for everyone and all populations. Specific word choices I made, particularly the directness in speaking on the topic of suicide, might not be helpful or appropriate for everyone.

2. This is a print and fold-your-own zine. The pages are set up for printing. You'll find a one-page handout showing the steps to turn the printout into a zine.

3. This zine is an educational resource and is not a substitute for professional mental health care or emergency services. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 in the United States to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.