If you think someone is at risk
If someone is suicidal - the warning signs
What to do if someone you know is suicidal
If someone is suicidal - the warning signs
Most people thinking about suicide will try to let someone know. The key to helping someone is watching out for the warning signs and know what to do to help.
Everyone is different, so in some cases only a few of these signs are obvious, however here are some of the most common ones:
If someone you know
- Talks about wanting to die or doesn't see the point or a way out of their situation.
- Has been through stressful life events and doesn't seem to be coping.
- Gives away important possessions.
- Starts putting things in order e.g. arranging wills, pet or childcare.
- Has problems sleeping
- Is taking less care of themselves - not caring about their appearance or eating less
- Shows marked changes in behaviour, appearance or mood. They may seem distracted, sad, distant or lacking in concentration.
- Exhibit a sudden uplift in mood or calmness - this can sometimes be because the person feels they have found a solution to their problems, no matter how drastic this may be.
- Has made a previous suicide attempt.
(Information taken from Chooselife ©2005)
What to do if someone you know is suicidal
Advice from Mind, the Mental Health Charity:
"After he made the first two suicide attempts in the space of 24 hours, I felt completely wiped out. I felt, overwhelmingly, that it must be so awful being married to me, he'd rather be dead."
If you are trying to help someone who is suicidal, your chief concern will be their immediate safety and the causes of their desperation. It's important to encourage the person to talk about their despairing feelings.
How you can help someone who is suicidal
Call the emergency services
If someone has an immediate suicide plan and the means to carry it out get help immediately. Call one of the helplines below or, contact your local doctor.
Talk openly about the possibility of suicide
Don't dismiss expressions of hopelessness as a "cry for help" or try to jolly them out of it. Talking openly about the possibility of suicide will not make it more likely to happen. Just talking about it will not make it more likely to happen
Listen in an accepting way
This can help the person feel less isolated and frightened
Emphasise that overdosing may not be the quick answer
Indeed, overdosing may lead to messy, painful and long-drawn-out consequences, including slow poisoning.
Persuade them to get help
Encourage the person to get some outside support. Start with their GP, who can arrange for counselling.
Help to make a personal list
This can include a list of names, phone numbers, addresses and organisations available for support. The person can then keep this list close at hand and agree to call someone when they are feeling suicidal.
Try to address the underlying problems
Surviving or diffusing a suicidal crisis is one thing, solving the underlying problems is another. The difficulties that nurture despair are usually complex and don't vanish quickly. It's essential to address them, however, or suicidal feelings may well return.
Look after yourself
If you are in a close relationship with someone who has suicidal thoughts, you are likely to feel fearful, angry or guilty. You will need to find someone in whom you can confide your fears. Compile your own support list. Also see our advice for Carers.
Bereavement by suicide
Child Suicide
This is a website for those who have suffered the tragic and indescribably painful loss of a child to suicide
