Suicide is a human issue–and since all humans are unique, all cases of suicide are unique, too. Because of this, it’s hard to find ways to approach suicide. You’ll find yourself worried that the way you want to address someone’s struggles might not work for them the way it would work for you. Should you be direct or passive? Should you bring up the topic immediately, or should you wait until the other person opens up to you? These choices are difficult.
Luckily, there’s one thing you can keep in mind that will help you in any situation where you have a chance to help someone who is struggling. That thing is an emotion: more specifically, compassion.
A person with compassion is one that sees the struggles of others. Though you may not always understand what someone is going through, if you act with compassion, you’ll act in a way that shows people around you that you care about what’s bothering them. Most importantly, people with compassion have a desire to ease the burdens that others are facing.
It isn’t always easy to tell what the right choice is, especially when you’re trying to help someone. Acting with compassion is a step in the right direction. For some people, just knowing that someone truly cares about their struggles can make a world of difference. Show them you care!