A Conversation Could Save a Life

What to do

You are not alone if you feel unsure about what is the right thing to do and say in a situation like this.

Encourage the person you are concerned about to talk about how they are feeling. Surprisingly, asking them a direct question about whether they have thought about suicide can also make all the difference. Some people think that asking someone whether they are having suicidal thoughts will put the idea of taking their own life in their head.

This is a MYTH. Evidence shows that asking a direct question actually opens the door and gives them permission to speak about it.

There are three important steps to remember:

You must not forget to look after yourself. This is a very stressful situation. You may find it helpful to discuss your feelings with another friend, or a confidential service.

If you find yourself alone in trying to support a person in distress, it’s very important that you don’t put yourself in unnecessary danger, ask for help or call 999 if you feel you need to.

SEE - the warning signs

When someone is contemplating suicide, their words and actions can give clues or warning signs.

Not everyone is the same and each situation will be individual. The following warning signs are a guide only and hopefully, give you the permission to reach out and start a conversation.

This is NOT an exhaustive list. If your concern is not listed below trust your instinct.

Suicide can affect anyone but we have found that some people may be more at risk: middle-aged men, new university students, single or divorced people, the unemployed, older widowers with a recent bereavement.  People who are experiencing lots of difficult factors at the same time, as well as those who may be using drugs or alcohol as a way of coping, could be more at risk of thinking about suicide and taking their own life.

SAY - Reach out and start a conversation

 

Suicide is preventable. We can all make a difference and reach out to someone we are concerned about. There is a need to talk about suicide openly and remove the myths and stigma.

We need to encourage people to talk about their feelings and acknowledge that they may be struggling. Talking about suicide does not come easy and you are not alone if you feel unsure about what to do and say.

In 20 minutes the Zero Suicide Alliance training will help to build the skills and confidence to know what to say and do. It will help you prepare and know what to expect. If you don’t have 20 minutes there is a shorter taster session.

A university student edition of the training is also available to help if you are concerned about a student, focusing on information and scenarios related to experiences at university and what to be aware of.