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Here you will find some helpful information on how to help someone you care about. First, there is information on how to help someone you know that may be suicidal. Following that is information on how to help someone who self-injures. We hope these are useful in some way. Please keep in mind that we are not professionals of any kind, nor can we substitute for one. These are for informational purposes only. Thank you and stay safe! ~~~~~~~~~~~ ;o)  
If Someone You Know Is Suicidal  Most suicides can be prevented by sensitive responses to the person in crisis. If you think someone you know may be suicidal, you should: Remain calm. In most instances, there is no rush. Sit and listen - really listen to what the person is saying. Give understanding and active emotional support for his or her feelings. Deal directly with the topic of suicide. Most individuals have mixed feelings about death and dying and are open to help. Don't be afraid to ask or talk directly about suicide. Encourage problem solving and positive actions. Remember that the person involved in emotional crisis is not thinking clearly; encourage him or her to refrain from making any serious, irreversible decisions while in a crisis. Talk about the positive alternatives which may establish hope for the future. Get assistance. Although you want to help, do not take full responsibility by trying to be the sole counsel. Seek out resources which can lend qualified help, even if it means breaking a confidence. Let the troubled person know you are concerned - so concerned that you are willing to arrange help beyond that which you can offer. UCLA suicide prevention experts have summarized the information to be conveyed to a person in crisis as follows: "The suicidal crisis is temporary. Unbearable pain can be survived. Help is available. You are not alone." Source: McKinley Health Center, University of Illinois, Champaign Urbana
If Someone You Know Is Self-Harming
Maintain an accepting, open attitude about the self- injury. Most people who self-harm have problems with low self-esteem and are disgusted by their own self-injury behavior. Try to make him/her feel safe discussing it, and accepted regardless of it. Try not to pay more attention to the self-injury behaviors than the healthier things that this person does. Recognize the severity of this person's distress and the inability to stop hurting him or herself. Try not to get angry at him/her for self-harm behaviors, since this merely reinforces the self-disgust and discouragement that is already there. If he/she could stop, he/she would. Don't minimize how much distress a person is in, regardless of how insignificant the stressor might appear to you, with statements like "it's not that bad," or "you can't be that upset about it." Acknowledge that the person is under a lot of stress, and that you are there if there's anything that you can do to help. Don't shame the person for failed attempts at controlling self-injury, and praise any success in delaying the act. If he or she is not already doing so, encourage the person to find a professional therapist that meets her/his needs, preferably one with knowledge and experience with repetitive self-injury. Encourage self-injury support groups if such a thing exists in your area. If you think this person is in immediate danger of cutting or other superficial or moderate self-injury, stay with him or her until the impulse passes or encourage him or her not to be alone. Physical contact through hand holding or hugging can sometimes be helpful if the relationship is appropriate and trust is sufficient. Self-injury is an extremely stressful, frustrating, and anxiety-provoking thing for everyone involved. Get support for yourself if you need it, through a counselor or therapist, preferably one with knowledge and experience with self-injury.
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