Episode Details

My guest is Frank King, a speaker and mental health advocate who has spent years helping people understand and respond to suicide risk.

This conversation focuses on a critical question:

How do you recognize when someone may be struggling—and what helps in that moment?

In this episode, we explore: • Signs that someone may be thinking about suicide • What to say and what to avoid • Why people often miss or misinterpret warning signals • How to approach difficult conversations with clarity and care

This is a discussion about awareness and response—not a substitute for professional care. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please seek help from a qualified professional or a crisis resource.

SHOW NOTES:

Connect wwith Frank King Website: The Mental Health Comedian

The QPR Institute Question, Persuade, Refer:: 3 simple steps to help save a life from suicide. Just like being trained in CPR. Website:The QPR Institute

Signs of someone thinking about suicide:

• You catch them Googling death, dying or how to die by suicide.
• They are getting their personal affairs in order.
• They are giving their stuff away, especially prized possessions
• They are gathering the means: stock piling medication, buying a firearm or such.
• They've been depressed for a long time, and suddenly are happy for no apparent reason. You're happy they are happy. BUT they are only happy because they have chosen the time, place, and method, and they know that the pain is about to come to and end.

When you see someone exhibiting signs or symptoms, ASK. Go with your gut. If you can't do it, get their phone number, call me or Frank, and we will ask them for you.

ASK: "Are you having thoughts of suicide?"

Studies show if you mention the word "suicide" out loud, someone is LESS likely to die by suicide. If you're not comfortable using the word suicide, say: "Are you having thoughts about harming yourself?"

If they say "Yes" ask: "Do you have a plan?"

If they say "Yes" ask: "What is your plan?"

If the plan is detailed (time, place, method) do your best to get them to a mental health facility or CALL 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline). You can also TEXT 988.

If their plan is not detailed, tell them, "OK, tell me about it. Are you going to kill yourself?"

If they say ,"No (I don't have a plan)", ASK: "Tell me why not?" Make them give voice to whatever is keeping them here. Something is. The majority don't want to die. They simply want to end the pain.

Do not say "brush it off, get tough, and get over it". That can have the opposite effect. Instead say: "I'm here for you and I mean it. I know you're not lazy, crazy, or self-absorbed. I know depression is a mental heath issue. But here's the good news - with time and treatment things will get better. And I'll take the time, I'll help you get the treatment."

To those BEING ASKED: If you are not having thoughts of suicide, do not take it personally. They care. If they did not care, they wouldn't have asked. Start your reply with, "Thank you for asking." Then if you like, tell them what's up.

PREVENTION

Self-care plan: Everyone should have a self-care plan, things you do every day that has nothing to do with what you do for a living. Make these things you have control over: what you eat, how much you sleep.

Everyone should have ONE thing you do every day to keep yourself mentally healthy it's your NON-Negotiable. You do this everyday, regardless of what else you do. For Frank it's going to the gy