Suicide prevention experts tell KMOX it's lifesaving to tell someone:
"I'm listening.
"I'm here for you and I want to hear you."
"I'm listening to what you have to say."
"I have time for you."
Whitney Shumway, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Missouri Chapter Board President, says that's why her organization has a program called Talk Saves Lives. "And it's because talking does, very much so save lives and, letting somebody know that you are there and you are listening genuinely is oftentimes the one thing that can do."
Shumway tells Total Information AM, there are things you can do to ensure you don't do more harm than good. She says you should avoid giving advice or minimizing their feelings or the situation. "understand that you are never going to understand where somebody is at because each of us have our own lived experiences, our own lenses that we see things through." Shumway says it's also important to have those conversations in a private, safe place.
Shumway says the impact of the nationwide 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline was immediate.
KMOX will air "I'm Listening" Thursday, September 21st from 7pm-9pm on 1120AM/98.7 FM, online, on the Audacy app, or you can tell your smart speaker to play KMOX.
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