Asking directly about suicidal thoughts can help save lives
To mark World Suicide Prevention Day on the 10th of September, our charity partner Samaritans is encouraging people not to be afraid to talk about suicidal thoughts and feelings if they are worried about someone.
Every 90 seconds, someone in the UK or Ireland takes their own life.
Following an incredibly challenging few years, the charity is trying to reduce the stigma around suicide and urging people to look out for each other.
If someone is feeling suicidal, it might be hard to get through to them. They might be distant or distracted or feel disconnected from the world and their own emotions. They might not respond right away.
Evidence shows that asking someone if they’re suicidal doesn’t make things worse, it can protect people, as it provides a crucial opportunity to open up, express their feelings and seek help.
If someone does let you know they are having suicidal thoughts, always take them seriously. You don’t have to be an expert, just being there to listen and showing you care can help them work through what’s going on. Let them know they’re not a burden and there’s always someone they can turn to – whether it’s a family member or friend, or a 24/7 helpline like Samaritans.
It’s OK to ask about suicidal thoughts. It could save a life.
Samaritans’ caller, Paul, describes how opening up about his suicidal thoughts helped him get the support he needed:
“I had a lot of trauma and I never really dealt with the triggers from my childhood. It all came to a halt when I tried to take my own life on several occasions. I had gotten to the end of my own strength. I felt there was no way out – I couldn’t talk to anyone. I felt trapped.
“It was only when I began getting support that I started to accept that something wasn’t quite right. I’ve contacted Samaritans on numerous occasions. I would call at 2am with no hope. I can honestly say that those calls saved my life.
“Now, I find talking to my partner and people close to me helps. Before I wouldn’t because of the stigma, and I was scared to. But I do now, and I can be more honest and have a real conversation.”
How to start a conversation with someone
Just being there to listen and showing you care can help. Here are some tips on how to open up a conversation with someone you’re worried about:
- Choose a good time, and somewhere without distractions
- Use open questions that need more than a yes/no answer
- ‘How are things, I’ve noticed you don’t seem quite yourself?’
- Listen well. ‘How’s that making you feel?’
- Avoid giving your view of what’s wrong, or what they should do
It’s normal to feel anxious about asking someone if they’re suicidal, but it could save someone’s life. Try and avoid saying things like ‘you’re not thinking of doing something stupid are you?’. Being patient and showing you care builds trust and helps someone to open up.
You could ask:
- Have you thought about ending your life?
- Are you saying that you want to die?
- Are you thinking of ending your life because you want to be dead, or is it because you want the situation you’re in or the way you feel to stop?
You can read more advice on Samaritans website here and download the charity’s ‘Tips for helping someone open up’ PDF.
Remember, you’re not alone. Samaritans is there day or night, for anyone who’s struggling to cope, who needs someone to listen without judgement or pressure. If you’re struggling, you can contact Samaritans any time of the day or night by phoning 116 123 or emailing jo@Samaritans.org.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Optio, neque qui velit. Magni dolorum quidem ipsam eligendi, totam, facilis laudantium cum accusamus ullam voluptatibus commodi numquam, error, est. Ea, consequatur.
Hello! Did you find this information useful?
Please consider supporting PTSD UK with a donation to enable us to provide more information & resources to help us to support everyone affected by PTSD, no matter the trauma that caused it
PTSD UK Blog
You’ll find up-to-date news, research and information here along with some great tips to ease your PTSD in our blog.
How photography helped me manage my PTSD – Guest Blog
How photography helped me manage my PTSD – Guest Blog Matt Dolinski discovered that photography helped him managed his PTSD and other mental health issues. Starting by taking photos on his mobile phone, Matt is now organising ‘Photo Walks’ to
PTSDawarenessmonth
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Month June is PTSD Awareness Month. Together, we can make this PTSD Awareness Month a turning point – a time when we come together as a collective force to raise awareness of PTSD and Complex-PTSD.
Kieran Tompsett PTSD UK Ambassador
Reality Star Kieran Tompsett has been unveiled as PTSD UK’s newest celebrity ambassador PTSD UK is delighted to announce that we have a new inspiring celebrity ambassador on board – Businessman Kieran Tompsett from the hit BBC One series The
Alexithymia and PTSD
Alexithymia and PTSD “How are you feeling?” – for some people, this is a simple question to answer. However, if you suffer from alexithymia, a condition that impairs your ability to identify and describe your emotions, answering this question can
Maternal mental health Funding
Mums in the UK missing out on specialist mental health support due to insecure funding PTSD UK are proud members of the Maternal Mental Health Alliance (MMHA) a UK-wide charity and network of over 100 organisations, dedicated to ensuring everyone affected
Emotional numbness
Emotional numbness in PTSD & C-PTSD One of the most damaging assumptions about someone who has experienced trauma, or has a PTSD or C-PTSD diagnosis is that they don’t seem to be upset by it. In fact, their apparent disassociation
PTSD UK Supporters Store
Treatments for PTSD
It is possible for PTSD to be successfully treated many years after the traumatic event occurred, which means it is never too late to seek help. For some, the first step may be watchful waiting, then exploring therapeutic options such as individual or group therapy – but the main treatment options in the UK are psychological treatments such as Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprogramming (EMDR) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
Traumatic events can be very difficult to come to terms with, but confronting and understanding your feelings and seeking professional help is often the only way of effectively treating PTSD. You can find out more in the links below, or here.