If you are concerned that someone may be thinking about suicide, take the concern seriously. Reaching out, listening without judgment, helping the person stay safe, and connecting them with appropriate support can make an important difference.
If There Is Immediate Danger
If you or someone else may be in immediate danger or has already taken steps to harm themselves, contact local emergency services or go to the nearest emergency department. Crisis services are also available in the United States and Japan.
United States
Call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and provides free, confidential crisis support.
Japan
#いのちSOS: 0120-061-338 provides free telephone support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Yorisoi Hotline: 0120-279-338 also provides support and offers specialized options including foreign-language assistance. Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare maintains current telephone, SNS, and other consultation resources.
How to Help Someone Who May Be Suicidal
Current suicide-prevention guidance emphasizes noticing signs of distress, reaching out, listening carefully, asking directly about suicide when there is concern, helping the person stay safe, connecting them with appropriate support, and continuing to stay in contact. Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare uses a gatekeeper model centered on noticing, listening, connecting, and continuing to watch over and support the person.
Notice Changes and Reach Out
Pay attention to significant changes in mood, behavior, relationships, sleep, functioning, or expressions of hopelessness or distress. If you are concerned, reach out rather than waiting for the person to ask for help. Japan’s gatekeeper guidance emphasizes noticing changes and initiating contact.
Ask Directly
If you are concerned that someone may be thinking about suicide, it is appropriate to ask directly. You might ask, “Are you thinking about suicide?” Research summarized by the National Institute of Mental Health indicates that asking directly does not increase suicidal thoughts or behavior and can help begin an important conversation.
Listen Without Judgment
Give the person your attention and take what they say seriously. Listen without criticizing, arguing, minimizing their feelings, or rushing to solve the problem. Japan’s gatekeeper guidance emphasizes respecting the person’s feelings, listening carefully, and communicating genuine concern.
Help Keep Them Safe
When suicide risk is present, helping reduce access to highly lethal means or dangerous places can help keep the person safe. If the risk appears immediate, stay with the person when it is safe to do so and seek urgent assistance.
Help Them Connect
Help the person connect with appropriate support. This may include a mental health professional, crisis service, physician, trusted family member or friend, or another source of support. Japan’s gatekeeper model specifically emphasizes connecting people with appropriate professional resources rather than trying to manage the situation alone.
Stay Connected
Continue checking in after the immediate crisis or after helping the person connect with care. Supportive follow-up and ongoing contact can play an important role in suicide prevention.
CJMH and Crisis Support
CJMH provides mental health education and resource guidance but is not a crisis-response service. We do not monitor this website, email, or other communications continuously for emergencies. If you or someone else may be in immediate danger, please use emergency or crisis resources rather than contacting CJMH for urgent assistance.
References & Resources
- Japan Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare — Gatekeeper Guidance
Current Japanese government training and educational materials on recognizing distress, listening, connecting people with support, and continuing to watch over them.
MHLW Gatekeeper guidance - Japan Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare — Mental Health and Suicide-Prevention Consultation Resources
Current telephone, SNS and other consultation resources in Japan.
MHLW consultation resources - National Institute of Mental Health — 5 Action Steps to Help Someone Having Thoughts of Suicide
Current guidance covering Ask, Be There, Help Keep Them Safe, Help Them Connect, and Follow Up. The publication was revised in 2024.
NIMH 5 Action Steps - 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
U.S. crisis support by phone, text, and chat, available 24/7/365.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Last reviewed: September 2026.