Understanding Suicide Risk and Supporting Survivors of Sexual Violence

At OAESV, we recognize that sexual violence impacts more than physical safety. The effects of trauma can influence survivors’ mental, emotional, and social well-being long after the violence has occurred. As a sexual violence coalition, part of our work is helping communities understand these impacts and promote pathways to healing and support.  

We also know that sexual violence does not occur in isolation. Survivors can experience a range of long-term health impacts, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and, for some, thoughts of suicide. While not every survivor experiences these challenges, the effects of trauma can be significant. 

As advocates, preventionists, educators, caregivers, family members, friends, and community members, we may encounter people who are struggling. Some of us may also be survivors ourselves. Understanding how to recognize and respond to someone in crisis is an important skill that can help promote safety, healing, well-being, and connection to support. 

Sexual violence prevention and suicide prevention are both rooted in a public health approach that seeks to prevent harm before it occurs, strengthen protective factors, and build connected, supportive communities. 

If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide or self-harm, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If there is an immediate danger or medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency services. One simple framework for responding to a person in crisis is QPR: Question, Persuade, Refer. Learning these skills can help individuals recognize warning signs, have supportive conversations, reduce isolation, and connect someone with professional help when needed. 

Remember: QPR: Question, Persuade, Refer 

Question – Ask, are you thinking about suicide?  

Persuade – Can you stay with me until I can get you connected to someone who can help? 

Refer – Contact 988 by calling or texting. If possible, stay with the person and make the connection together through a three-way call. 

Common Myths About Suicide: What You Need to Know to Help Someone in Crisis 

1. If I don’t ask, they won’t think of it. Wrong! Many people worry that asking about suicide will put the idea into someone’s head. In reality, asking about suicide does not plant the idea. Some people experiencing significant emotional pain may have thoughts about wanting to escape that pain, and asking directly can help them feel supported and connected to help (QPR Institute; AMSR Training). When someone is struggling, asking about suicide can communicate care and concern.
    
2. If I ask and they say yes, I won’t know what to do to help.  You do not have to be an expert on this.  You just need to share your concerns.  “I am glad you told me this. I would like to help you, but I am not an expert. Let’s get you an expert to talk to about this.” And get on a three-way call with 988.

3. If I call 988, or have them call 988, the police will be called, and they will be forced into a hospital against their will. In most situations, calling 988 does not result in emergency services being contacted. Less than 2% of all 988 contacts result in calling 911. Everyone answering 988 is trained in how to help without involving police or involuntary hospitalization, unless in extremely rare situations, like they have already started taking action toward killing themselves.

4. If I ask about suicide, I am encouraging them to think about suicide. No; you are demonstrating your concern, which reduces the risk of suicide. Feeling like no one cares increases the risk of suicide.

5. The best action is to tell them about how much they would hurt their family by acting on these thoughts of suicide. In reality, this approach risks shaming the individual who is already suffering, and makes them afraid of talking about it, which increases their isolation, and may increase their risk. The best action is to thank them for sharing and ask them to stay with you until you connect with an expert to help.

6. Everyone who is suicidal needs to be hospitalized. Not everyone who experiences suicidal thoughts needs to be hospitalized. Suicidal thoughts come and go, based on the situation.  Not everyone who is thinking about ending their life should be hospitalized. The best help comes from feeling connected and hopeful that things can get better. 

7. I will be at risk of being sued if I hear about someone being suicidal, and they act on these feelings. This is not true. Asking helps the person feel cared about, which can reduce the shame that often accompanies depression and help connect them to a bridge of hope. Connecting them with 988 will help them feel better and will help them be less likely to act on these thoughts. While legal requirements vary by profession and setting, showing concern and connecting someone with appropriate support can help promote their safety and well-being.

8. The best way to ask is to say, “You are not thinking of doing anything stupid, like killing yourself, are you?” Wrong. This will make the person not share their thoughts with you because you think they are stupid. Try not to judge suicidal thoughts when you ask them. You do not want them to feel discouraged from sharing what they are thinking and feeling. Instead, you want them to open up and share. This way you can be a bridge to hope and help for them.

9. If I call 988 for myself or someone else, I will have to wait a long time. 988 is designed to provide timely access to trained crisis counselors, and many callers are connected quickly to support. The calls last as long as they need to last. Many calls are resolved in about half an hour.

10. The person I am concerned about doesn’t want to talk to someone over the phone. Easy! They can text 988 and have a real human texting with them, specifically trained in this field to be helpful and compassionate.

11. The person I am concerned about has access to guns and I am worried about them, but I don’t want to upset them. Firearms are the leading means of death by suicide. Firearms, particularly handguns, can increase risk because they provide access to a highly lethal method during moments of crisis. Like asking for your friend’s keys after they have had too much to drink, it makes sense to ask that they lock up firearms or have a friend temporarily store them, just while they are feeling bad.  Calling 988 will help you figure out how to ask these hard questions and make suggestions. You can call 988 if you have questions about how to help someone you are concerned about. Trained 988 counselors can help you think through these concerns and identify ways to support someone safely.

12. The person I am concerned about is worried about others finding out that they have suicidal thoughts. When you call or text 988, you don’t have to share your name or any identifying information. It is completely up to you how much you want to share.  If you are interested in connecting with resources in your area for ongoing help, 988 can help you figure out who to call. They may need some information about the county and state where you live. 

References:  

• Assessment and Management of Suicide Risk (AMSR) AMSR Training | Solutions.edc.org 

• Counseling for Access to Lethal Means (CALM) Counseling on Access to Lethal Means | Zero Suicide 

• Question Persuade Refer (QPR) QPR Institute | Practical and Proven Suicide Prevention Training QPR Institute (en-US) 

• Suicide Mortality Among Adolescents and Young Adults After Launch of a Suicide and Crisis Lifeline | Public Health | JAMA | JAMA Network   

• 988 Frequently Asked Questions | SAMHSA 

This project was supported by Grant No. 15JOVW-25-GG-00184-MUMU awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Department of Justice.