It can be scary to worry that someone you care about may be thinking about suicide.

Many people hesitate to say anything because they are afraid of:

• making things worse

• saying the wrong thing

• offending the person

• “putting the idea in their head”

• overreacting

• not knowing what to do next

These fears are very common.

But avoiding the conversation entirely can leave someone feeling even more isolated.

If you are concerned about someone, you don’t need to handle the situation perfectly to make a real difference. Often, the most important step is being willing to notice, ask, and stay connected.