Intervine ASAP by making quick contact, at least by phone.

Offer reassurance and encouragement.
Stop the person from acting self-destructively.
Pray with the person and bring God into the picture.
Link the person with someone who may be better if the person is open to that.

Take strong, direct action to prevent the situation from getting worse.

Move the person towards action that achieves meaning and makes progress.
Right from the start, help the person to sense that something is being done for them and by them.
Help the person understand the crisis by having them share what happened and their true feelings about them: who, what, why, when, where, etc.
Sort out what needs to be addressed immediately and what can wait.
If necessary, help work out a safe, peaceful environment for processing away from people who may be dangerous, confusing, or even curious.
Take more directive action if the person is a threat to the safety of himself or others.
Move the person towards taking personal responsibility as soon as possible.

Restore balance and accurate perspective.

Ask questions that draw out the facts apart from emotion driven imagination.
Ask questions that help paint a true whole picture as opposed to a distorted one.
Get to the root problem.
Look at possible courses of action and their consequences together.
Help the person choose a best course of action.
Provide hope and faith until they can replenish theirs.

Provide support.

Pray for and make contact regularly (at least by phone) with the person.
Allow for margins in time where the person has to make the effort to pray and process without your help.
Enlarge the circle of support by linking the person to a small group.
Gradually withdraw crisis support as the person is able to stand. Do nothing for the person that they can do for themselves.
Link the person to a mentor who may be a better fit to take them further.
Refer the person to other community agencies if necessary.

Domestic Violence Help

911
Emergency (Police, Ambulance)

841-0822
Shelters Domestic Violence (Safe place to stay)(24 hours)

624-7233
Military Victim Advocate (24 hours)

832-3100
Suicide and Crisis Center Hotline (24 hours)

524-7273
Sex Abuse Treatment Center (24 hours)

832-5300
Child Protective Services (24 hours)