If someone you know is thinking about suicide, your best next step is to contact a mental health professional.

If someone you know is wrestling with thoughts of suicide, you’re not alone in feeling unsure about what to do. It’s heavy. It’s scary. And it’s also a moment where the wrong move can make a real difference. Here’s the truth, told in plain terms: the safest and most helpful step is to connect them with a mental health professional. In practice, that means more than just a chat with a friend or ignoring the warning signs. It means taking decisive, compassionate action that centers the person’s safety and well‑being.

Let me explain what that looks like in real life—especially for students navigating campus life and the onboarding journey of a platform like Bobcat Life, where you’re often juggling classes, clubs, and support resources all at once.

First things first: assess safety in the moment

If you’re worried someone is in immediate danger, treat it as urgent. You might ask directly, calmly, “Are you thinking about harming yourself right now?” If they say yes, or you notice a concrete plan or means, don’t wait. Call emergency services or your campus security. If you’re in the United States, you can call 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, 24/7. If you’re elsewhere, look up your country’s mental health crisis line or emergency number. The point is simple: don’t patch this over with doubt or silence. Safety comes first.

Next, reach out to a trained professional

No matter how well you know the person, a mental health professional has the training to assess risk, offer immediate support, and map out next steps. This isn’t about solving everything in one go; it’s about getting someone into care now so they’re not facing the crisis alone. A therapist, counselor, or psychiatrist can help gauge severity, create a safety plan, and coordinate follow‑up care. If your campus has a health center or counseling service, reach out to them first. If not, a local clinic or telehealth option can be a bridge to ongoing support.

Involve trusted people, but stay with sensible boundaries

Friends and family matter. They provide grounding, a sense of belonging, and practical help. You can say things like, “I’m glad you’re talking with me. I’m here. Let’s find someone who can help you right now.” The tricky part is not turning this into a solo project for you to manage alone. It’s okay to lean on a trusted counselor or a family member to help coordinate care, arrange a ride, or sit with them while you make a call. If you’re on campus, there are peers and staff who can accompany someone to a clinic or provide a quiet space to talk.

Remove immediate means when you can do so safely

If there’s anything in reach that could be used to harm, move it out of reach, but only if it’s safe to do so. You don’t want to escalate the situation with force or judgment. Instead, calmly explain that you’re helping keep them safe and that you want them to get professional support. If you’re unsure what’s safe, you can still contact a mental health professional or an emergency line for guidance.

Listen with presence, not judgment

One of the strongest levers you’ve got is listening. People in a crisis often feel unseen or dismissed. You don’t need to have all the perfect answers. You just need to be present. Reflect back what you hear, ask direct questions about their feelings, and acknowledge the pain without minimizing it. Phrases like, “That sounds incredibly hard,” or “I’m really glad you told me,” can be powerful. Don’t try to “fix” them with quick solutions or silver‑bullet advice. Empathy matters, and it buys time for professional help to step in.

Connect them to ongoing resources

Beyond the immediate crisis, help them access ongoing support. This can include:

• Campus resources: student counseling services, student health centers, crisis hotlines, or campus chaplains.

• Teletherapy options: online therapists who can meet with them from a quiet, private space.

• Local clinics and community mental health centers: many offer sliding scale fees or student discounts.

• Support groups: peer groups can reduce isolation and share coping strategies.

• Safety planning: a practical plan that lists who to call, where to go, and what to do if thoughts return.

What makes professionals different (and why that matters)

Trained clinicians have a toolkit for crisis situations. They know how to assess risk, explore what’s fueling the crisis, and tailor a plan that fits the person’s life—classes, work shifts, family, and cultural context. They can offer coping skills, talk through medication questions if needed, and connect people with long‑term care options. In a moment when fear and confusion run high, a professional viewpoint helps convert chaos into a manageable sequence of steps.

A note on onboarding and campus life

For students, the onboarding journey isn’t just about logging into a platform or meeting new people. It’s about learning where to turn when life feels overwhelming. If your campus uses Bobcat Life or similar platforms, you’ve probably seen how quick access to resources can make a real difference. The onboarding experience should include clear signs of where to seek help, confidentiality notes, and direct links to services. It’s okay to feel a bit overwhelmed when you first encounter these resources—but you should also feel confident that help is there, easily reachable, and people care.

Here’s a little mental model you can carry forward: think of crisis support as a bridge. The person crossing needs something sturdy on either end—someone who listens, someone who directs them to professionals, and a plan that’s easy to follow. You’re not crossing alone; you’re helping build the steps for them to move forward with safety and support.

Real talk: common questions and practical responses

• What should I say when I don’t know what to say? You can say, “I’m here for you. I care about you. I’m taking this seriously, and we’re going to get you connected to someone who can help.” Simple, steady, and human.

• Do I need to pretend everything’s okay? Not at all. It’s okay to acknowledge fear, confusion, or sadness. You don’t have to have all the answers; you just have to be trustworthy and present.

• What if they refuse help? That’s tougher, but still manageable. You can let them know you’ll stay with them and continue offering connections to professionals. If there’s imminent danger, contact emergency services. The goal isn’t to force a decision; it’s to keep them safe and connected to care.

A few quick resource notes you can keep handy

• If you’re in the U.S.: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text), or 911 for emergencies.

• Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741741 to connect with a trained volunteer.

• On campus: your university’s health center or counseling services. If you’re unsure, ask a professor, advisor, or resident assistant where to find help.

• Telehealth options: many licensed therapists offer virtual sessions that fit around a student’s schedule.

A gentle reminder about nuance

Crisis moments are messy. They’re not neat or predictable. The most important takeaway is simple: contact a mental health professional. That’s what creates a bridge to safety and support. It’s not about perfect words or heroic feats; it’s about recognizing when you need help and reaching out for it. And yes, you can still be kind, patient, and steady while you make those calls.

Let’s keep the focus where it belongs: compassion coupled with action

If you were listening to a friend who was really hurting, you’d want someone to do exactly that—step in, listen, and guide them toward help. That’s the heart of what you do in moments of crisis. You don’t need to carry the burden alone. You don’t have to have all the answers. You just need to know where to turn and who to call.

To close, a practical mindset for the road ahead

• Notice early signs: persistent sadness, withdrawal, talking about being a burden, or a sense that life isn’t worth it. If you spot these, treat them as a cue to act.

• Act promptly: don’t wait for “the right moment.” The right moment is now.

• Stay connected: check in, offer to accompany them to an appointment, share resource options, and follow up after the initial contact.

• Prioritize safety: if there’s any chance of imminent harm, escalate quickly to professional help or emergency services.

You’re part of a community that looks out for one another. That’s a strength. And yes, it takes courage to step in when someone is hurting. But you’re not alone in this. The right people—trained professionals, trusted friends, campus supports—are already ready to help. Reaching out to them is a smart, caring move. It doesn’t just help in a tough moment; it sets a path toward healing and stability that can last well beyond today.

If you want, I can tailor this guidance to fit a specific campus or platform setup you’re dealing with—including how onboarding pages can present mental health resources in a clear, compassionate way.