Choose Your Allies
Invite friends or family members that you want to use Code Word with.
A safe place to talk about it.
Whatever "it" might be, Code Word empowers anyone access to a safe and trusted network of allies for immediate support.
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Code Word is a crisis intervention solution for people who need help right away.
More than a text. More than a call.
Code Word lets your network know you need help, or just need to talk, in a protected and mutually understood way, and alerts your allies even when they may not be readily available.
Our Mission
We exist to save lives by offering immediate assistance during moments of crisis. We envision a world where mental health is destigmatized, free from shame or judgment, and where everyone feels empowered to openly discuss and address their mental health needs.
Meet Eric Lovold, a valued team member of Code Word, contributing to the transformation of crisis intervention. Under Eric's empathetic guidance, Code Word is more than traditional methods—it's a discreet and protective way to signal the need for immediate help. Eric and the team emphasize Code Word as a lifeline for individuals dealing with mental health challenges and suicidal thoughts, acting as a hub for comprehensive support across various needs.
Paul leads the creative endeavors at Code Word. With a passion for healthcare innovation, he approaches design by prioritizing user experience and solving real human problems. His leadership inspires the team to push boundaries and to embrace ambiguity and curiosity, driving our mission forward with passion and purpose.
Mark Meier, co-founder and partner of Code Word, is not only a licensed therapist, but also the compassionate leader of the Face It Foundation. Committed to empowering men in crisis, Mark's expertise enhances Code Word's mission. Through Face It, he has helped establish a powerful network and peer support model, reflecting his dedication to creating transformative support for individuals facing challenges.
Efren Toscano brings strong product leadership and digital innovation to Code Word, focusing on immediate crisis assistance. Dedicated to destigmatizing mental health, his leadership fosters open discussions and aligns with the company's empowering vision, making a meaningful impact for those facing mental health challenges.
Supported by industry partners
How to have the conversation.
When you are talking with someone who is reporting that they are struggling with depression or may be considering ending their life, it is important to consider how to navigate and facilitate the conversation. This is a guide to help you navigate difficult conversations and to equip you with tools to create a safe space for a productive dialog.
Questions to ask at the moment of crisis
Questions to ask at the moment of crisis
Can you tell me what’s going on? How are you feeling right now? Where are you right now? Are you considering harming yourself? Do you have access to firearms or weapons? Do you need someone to come be with you? Can we talk for a while?
Be calm
Be calm
The person you wish to support may feel that there are no solutions to their problems and likely have many thoughts going through their head, so being calm with them is important.
Active listening
Active listening
Verbalize to them that you are considering what they are saying seriously and that you are there to listen. Give them the space and time to express how they are feeling.
Thank them for trusting you
Thank them for trusting you
Acknowledge that this is a difficult thing to share with someone, even if they are close to you. Verbalizing this and letting them know you are glad they reached out to you is important.
Ensure them that you are there to support them
Ensure them that you are there to support them
You are not burdened by them. You are glad that they reached out to you because they are important to you.
Don't say you understand how they feel
Don't say you understand how they feel
Unless you have felt the same way at some point in your life, do not imply that you understand their situation. Instead, reinforce that you are listening and hearing them.
Give them as much time as possible
Give them as much time as possible
Often times, a person in crisis needs someone to understand that they are in a difficult place and it takes time to tell that story. If you think that there needs to be a follow-up conversation, verbalize that you want to meet with them in person and make immediate plans to connect with them in person.
Suggest professional help
Suggest professional help
When the time is right, let them know that it might be beneficial for them to talk to a professional who is used to doing this. You do not want to do this right away; spend the appropriate amount of time listening and only suggest this when you feel that they have shared as much as they need at that time. You are their loved one or friend and you are willing to listen, but you also want to make sure they follow through with seeking help. Some may welcome this path, and if so, this is an easier conversation. Let them know that you will go with them to see a professional if they wish. Many might refuse to see someone and this could be more difficult. The bottom line is that you can't force anyone to seek professional help, and more importantly, that help is only beneficial if they are willing to accept it.
No situation is unworkable
No situation is unworkable
Even if it feels like the situation has no solution and their perspective is that they have no options, remind them that there are people who will work to support them. When we think about someone who is considering ending their life, we often think about depression, but there are many times where they may have made a significant mistake in life. You can't fix their situation, but you can help them work out solutions and a path forward.
Remind them that there are people that care about them
Remind them that there are people that care about them
If there are people in their life that depend on them (such as kids or elderly parents), don't be afraid to remind them overtly or subtly that they will be missed in life. Of course, gauge this with what they are reporting: if they are reporting that the core of their stress is centered in caregiving, then be more careful on this topic. But, if this will give them pause and prevent them from harming themselves AT THAT MOMENT, it gives us time. You are not a therapist and you do not have to worry about guilting them at that moment - your goal is to support them and walk with them to their next step. If you think it's beneficial to remind them of relationships and others who depend on them, do it.
You care about them
You care about them
Don't say anything that isn't true, because they will see through that. Be real with them. For example, if you are a trusted work colleague, then tell them you care about them outside of work and you are glad for their friendship, but don't tell them you love them. If you are a partner, family member, or close friend, then let them know you love them and how important they are to you.
Next steps
Next steps
Make a plan with them for the next time you follow up with them or for them to see someone else. Often people who are considering ending their life are so stressed that next steps or making a plan can be overwhelming. So, make plans with them and follow through.
Consider external resources
Consider external resources
Lastly, if you feel like they remain actively suicidal at the end of your conversation, consider whether you or someone else needs to remain with them. Remove things from their proximity that might be used to harm themselves. If you feel like they are not open to making a personal plan with you or with a professional, consider getting emergency assistance.
