World Suicide Prevention Day hosted by the International Association for Suicide Prevention in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Federation for Mental Health falls this Saturday .

According to the WHO, more than 800,000 people die because of suicide every year. It is the second leading cause of death among 15 to 29-year-olds. In fact, so many people attempt suicide every year.

People don’t decide to take their life away out of the blue. They often drop signs that they are thinking about suicide. Here’s how you can help someone who is suicidal.

  1. If you’re concerned about someone it’s best to just ask them directly. It may be awkward but knowing that they are cared for can help.
  2. Let the person vent it out. Avoid saying things like “There’s so much to live for” or getting into an argument with him/her. No matter how negative the conversation is, the fact that it exists is a good sign.
  3. It’s okay to ask the person if he/she is having thoughts of suicide or of hurting himself/herself. You’re not putting ideas into the person’s head rather you’re showing him/her that you are concerned.
  4. Avoid making the person feel like he/she has to justify his/her feelings.
  5. Do everything you can to get the person to see a professional. Although talking can help, it may not always be the case and the person may need professional help to deal with his/her suicidal thoughts.
  6. It’s best to avoid statements like “I know how you feel” or “Try not to worry about it.”
  7. If you sense an immediate danger, make sure the person isn’t left alone and remove potentially dangerous items from the person’s vicinity.
  8. Don’t judge. The person needs reassurance and support to recover.
  9. Remember you are not responsible if someone takes away his/her life but intervention can help the person see that he/she doesn’t have to take that drastic step.