Guidance and advice
This section will help you spot the signs that someone is at risk of suicide and provide support that can make a difference without putting your own mental health at risk.
By finding this information you are already one step closer to helping the person you care about. With support, they can learn to deal with the thoughts and feelings they are experiencing and find hope for the future.
Information that can help:
Myths and warning signs
Most people who are thinking about suicide show one or more warning signs through what they say or do. You may have noticed that someone is not acting as they normally would. Or maybe they have made comments that suggest they are finding life tough, or you may feel that something is troubling them, even if they say they are okay.
Knowing the signs to look out for can give you the confidence to ask someone how they are feeling and help them get further support. Myths about suicide can also get in the way of helping someone, so it’s good to be aware of these too.
Information that can help:
Asking about suicide
If someone is showing warning signs of suicide, asking them directly whether they are thinking about suicide could save their life. Asking them will not make the situation worse. In fact, it can really help someone to make sense of how they are feeling.
It can be scary to know how to start a conversation about suicide, or to know the kind of things to say to get someone to open up. The guidance below can help you find the words you need.
Information that can help:
Giving support
It’s normal to feel unsure about what to do if someone is at risk of suicide. Many of us worry we are getting things wrong or that we are making the situation worse. But letting someone know that you’re there to listen, and helping them get further support if they need it, can really make a difference.
The guidance below outlines the things you can do to help someone cope with thoughts of suicide, and how to deal with any stress or anxiety you may be feeling.
Information that can help:
Looking after yourself
Supporting someone at risk of suicide can be extremely stressful, whether they are in crisis, having fleeting thoughts or repeat feelings. Whatever the situation, looking after your own wellbeing is important – for you and for them.
There are many ways you can take care of yourself – big and small – but it can be hard to know where to start. The guidance below will help you build strategies for staying safe and well while you care for someone else.
Information that can help: