“Reaching out to someone in distress is a simple, human act – and it could save a life”

Helping someone who is suicidal

You don’t have to be a mental health professional to help someone who is feeling suicidal.

Suicide is everybody’s business. Around 1 in 5 of us has had suicidal thoughts at some point* and an estimated 75 per cent of suicides are by people who have not had contact with mental health services in the year before their death.

*Source: OPCS Surveys of Psychiatric Morbidity 2007

Asking directly about suicide is the right thing to do if you are worried about someone. 

Many people fear talking directly about suicide in case they “give the person the idea”, but there is no evidence that talking about suicide can be harmful – quite the opposite in fact. For many people it can be huge relief to be asked the question in a direct way.

It is a MYTH that people who talk about suicide are unlikely to go through with the act. 

Anyone who talks or writes about taking their own life should be taken seriously. Never assume that a person who has spoken about suicidal thoughts before and not acted on those thoughts won’t do so this time.

We can all do things to help create a suicide-safer community

Be alert:

Not everyone who thinks about suicide will tell someone and there are some people who give no indication at all of their intention. However, there are warning signs that we can all look out for:

 

These include, if a person is:

 

  • Talking or writing about death, dying or suicide
  • Actively looking for ways to kill themselves
  • Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
  • Talking about being a burden to others
  • Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
  • Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
  • Suddenly very much ‘recovered’ after a period of  depression
  • Visiting or calling people unexpectedly to say goodbye either directly or indirectly
  • Making arrangements; setting their affairs in order
  • Giving things away, such as prized possessions.

 

Be honest:

Tell the person why you’re worried about them, and ask about suicide.

 

Be direct:

Suicide remains a huge taboo in our society and the person at risk may have kept these feelings to themselves for a long time. By asking about suicide directly you are getting across the message that it’s OK to talk about it – and that you are there to listen. Say what you mean. Ask: “Are you having thoughts of suicide?” or: “Have you been thinking about killing yourself?” and avoid phrases like: “You’re not going to do anything silly are you?” or: “Are you thinking of ending it all?”

Don’t panic:

Hearing that someone is feeling suicidal can be shocking, but it won’t help the situation if you panic. Try and stay calm and supportive.

 

Listen and empathise:

Listening in a compassionate and non-judgemental way is one of the most helpful things you can do. Avoid the temptation to try and change the subject or to list all the “positives” in the person’s life. Just listen and try and see things from their point of view.

 

Ask if they have a plan:

If the person has a specific suicide plan and the means to take their own life then they need urgent help.

 

Get help:

If you have serious concerns for the individual’s immediate safety, do not leave them on their own. You can ring 999 or, depending on your relationship with the person, you might support them to get an urgent GP appointment or take them to A&E. See also a list of helplines overleaf that may be helpful.

 

Do not put yourself at risk:

Your own safety must come first.

 

Take care of yourself:

Supporting someone who is suicidal can be shocking and distressing. Be mindful of your own wellbeing – and talk to someone you trust about how it has made you feel. Alternatively, it may help to phone one of the helplines overleaf to talk it through.

“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.”

– William James

Helplines

NHS First Response Service (FRS)

First Response Service number
NHS First Response Service (FRS), across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, provides 24-hour access, seven days a week, 365 days a year, to mental health care, advice, support and treatment.

 

 

By calling 111 and selecting the mental health option, you will be put through to a member of the FRS who will speak to you and discuss your current mental health needs.

 

Papyrus

Advice for young people at risk of suicide
0800 068 4141 (24 hours every day of the year Weekends and Bank Holidays included)
07860039967 (SMS)

www.papyrus-uk.org

Samaritans

116 123 (Freephone, 24 hour helpline)
www.samaritans.org

 

Lifeline

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Helpline
0808 808 2121 (Freephone)
11am to 11pm, 365 days a year.

 

Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide

For those personally affected by suicide
0300 111 5065 (9am to 9pm)

www.uksobs.org

 

CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably)

A charity dedicated to preventing male suicides
0800 58 58 58 (5pm  – midnight every day)
www.thecalmzone.net

 

Shout

Crisis text line
85258 (SMS)
www.giveusashout.org