The following is excerpted from the Church News. To read the full article, CLICK HERE

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has released a new video resource for parents, Church leaders and individuals to better understand how to respond to and help someone who is having thoughts of suicide.

The video, “Suicide Prevention: How To Help Someone in Crisis,” instructs individuals to ask, care and tell — or ACT.

Latter-day Saints may consider the act of responding to and helping someone who is having suicidal thoughts to be part of the covenant they made to “bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light,” “mourn with those that morn … and comfort those that stand in need of comfort” (see Mosiah 18:8-9).

The warning signs of suicide and any threats to attempt suicide are serious, even if it seems like the individual is not seriously thinking about suicide or is just seeking attention.

1. Ask

To offer support, the video instructs concerned individuals to ask the at-risk person directly if they are thinking about suicide. If they answer that they are, ask if they have a plan to hurt themselves. If necessary, immediately help them get to the nearest emergency service provider and get on a crisis helpline.

To read the full article, CLICK HERE